NEW contactless payment technology is being installed at Morrisons in Taunton to make shopping trips faster and easier for customers.

Each cashier and self-service payment point in the supermarket is being upgraded to feature a new contactless payment reader.

Customer payments of up to £20 can simply be made by tapping a bank card against the reader pad.

It is estimated the new payment method will save each customer 10 seconds every time they pay for their shopping.

An average four shopping trips are made each week.

The move is expected to reduce customer queues, especially during peak shopping periods.

The contactless payment method is growing in popularity – 1.5million transactions are made every day, and over 58million contactless-enabled cards are currently in UK circulation.

Stuart Chapman, store general manager at Morrisons Taunton said: “From today all of our store payment points will be upgraded to accept contactless payments.

“Many of our customers have a card and are already familiar with the technology.

“Contactless payment is simple and convenient to use. It is another way in which we are trying to make shopping trips faster and easier for Taunton’s customers.”

A company spokesman said: “The activity forms part of a significant investment programme to make shopping trips easier for customers.

“Improvements include the redesign of stores, the removal of trolley locks, the extension of opening hours, the updating of car park controls and improvements to baby change and toilet facilities.”