Consumers turn back on coins

THE days of carrying cash are numbered, according to half of the people questioned in a Barclaycard survey, with many trying to avoid keeping hold of coins.

One in eight people don't carry cash and the majority now refuse to carry 1p and 2p coins, according to the research, out today. There are 23 in the average British purse or wallet and two-thirds of people feel that carrying cash is inconvenient, citing the weight and space occupied by coins.

Their aversion to carrying cash means one in three people would rather pay for goods and services by card, with 17 per cent favouring cards because it makes it easier to keep track of their spending.