Customers popping in for an ice cream or a simple cup of tea at the restaurant in Abbeygate Street, can pay for their treats with a wave of the new 'One Touch' card.

Developed for London commuters and linked to the Oyster travelcard system, the unique 'cashless' method has made its way to Bury.

Richard Bird, owner of Street Level, said: "Sometimes people haven't got cash on them, all they have got is a debit or credit card.

"With this system, if someone comes in for a coffee and no change, it's not the end of the world."

Mr Bird, 61, believes he is one of the first businesses in Bury to pioneer the system run by Barclaycard, in which the card is waved under a secure detector and the payment is complete.

The new technology means Mr Bird is now charged just 3p for every card transaction, instead of the 3.4 per cent fee charged by American Express.

He said: "This system will be great for me, especially if people just want a few things.

"They can just wave it under the machine and it's done."

For more information about the system, visit www.barclaycard-one pulse.co.uk/cashless