Contactless payment points could be compulsory in every UK shop within the next five years.

Every British retailer will have to offer the tap-and-go system in a move that may also spell the end of £5 minimum spend rules.

Shops will continue to accept regular card payments but under new rules introduced by Visa and Mastercard shopkeepers will be forced to provide a contactless payment method by 2020.

Independent retailers and cornershops often have a £5 minimum spend policy on debit and credit card transactions to cover the charges imposed by banks for processing the payments.

But the ease of contactless payments means that retailers are charged significantly less for transactions involving touch-and-go cards.

It is thought that the widespread introduction of contactless payment terminals will prompt many shopkeepers to get rid of the minimum charge requirement.