Caffe Nero has enlisted Stelios Haji-Ioannou's Easyinternetcafe chain in the trade war among UK coffee bar operators.

Caffe Nero has sealed a deal to supply coffee to surfers at Easyinternet's flagship outlet in Kensington, London, which attracts 18,000 customers a week.

And further tie-ups could follow between Caffe Nero and the Easyinternet chain, which has 23 sites worldwide in cities including Paris and Barcelona.

The announcement comes amid growing competition in the coffee bar market, where the likes of Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Coffee Republic are also attempting to grab market shares.

Two months ago, Caffe Nero bought the 31-strong Aroma chain from McDonalds.

The Easyinternet deal represented an "exciting development in Caffe Nero's expansion", chairman Gerry Ford said.

"The mix of our continental cafe culture with Easyinternetcafe's online service will create a new internet experience for customers."

Caffe Nero shares closed 1.5p higher at 30.5p in London on Monday.