The Pay By Touch system checks shoppers' identities by scanning fingerprints before they pay.

Customers who want to use the system - being trialled in the summer - must sign up by having their fingerprint recorded in an in-store scanner.

An "electronic wallet" is then created by swiping any bank cards to set up accounts from which money can be taken.

Fraud reduction

The Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op is taking part in the test scheme which will see the technology installed in self-service and manned check-outs.

The trial stores are in Carterton, Headington and Walton Street in Oxford.

Bill Laird, group general manager for retail, said: "The whole UK retail market is currently focused upon the introduction of chip and pin technology to improve service and reduce fraud.

"The Pay By Touch solution offers additional benefits and challenges existing thinking regarding in-store card transactions.

"We will carefully evaluate customer and operator reactions to the system throughout the period."