Marks & Spencer is the latest retailer to stop accepting cheques at its cash desks.

From March 1, it will only accept cash or cards as payment for its goods to speed up the flow through its checkouts.

An M&S spokeswoman said: "We think it's reflective of the retail industry as a whole. This move will speed things up in stores for all our customers. There is also the issue of cheque fraud.”

Age Concern has criticised the move, saying the decision could cause problems for older customers who do not like to carry large amounts of cash and struggle with Chip and PIN

Other retailers to have banned cheque payments include Argos, Asda, Boots, WHSmith and Next.

Tesco and Bhs have said they will continue to accept cheques.

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