Newport has seen a significant increase in contactless usage, with the city’s residents spending 266 per cent more by this method in the last 12 months, according to new research.

This compares with an average growth of 123 per cent across the UK.

The Contactless Spending Index from Barlcays also shows that the number of ‘silver spenders’ using ‘touch and go’ payments increased by 116 per cent in the last 12 months. The figures show that the older generation has finally jumped on the contactless bandwagon that their younger counterparts joined several years ago.

In comparison, the number of contactless users among all other age groups is also rising, but as usage is already high, the rate of growth is slower. Among the 18-24 age group, users have risen by 49 per cent, while for 25-45 year olds the figure is up 65 per cent and among 46-60 year olds users has climbed by 97 per cent.

The findings come as the UKCA reveals that contactless spending passed £1.5 billion for the first time in March, increasing from £1 billion per month in November. This upward trend in the popularity of contactless is supported by Barclaycard’s data showing that overall spending has more than doubled in the last 12 months.

Overall, London continues to lead the way for contactless penetration with 36 per cent of eligible transactions (those up to £30) made contactlessly, up from three in ten just two years ago. This continued rise is largely accounted for by the increase in popularity of contactless travel on London’s tubes, trains and buses. Yet with a number of businesses outside of London continuing to adopt the technology, rapid levels of growth are expected to continue across the UK throughout the rest of 2016.

Barclaycard’s contactless payment service for Android mobiles, which launched in January this year, has a higher proportion of users over 50 than those under 25. Thirteen per cent of users are aged over 50 while just 10 per cent are under 25. Two per cent of users are over 65 years old and the oldest customer registered and using the service is 86. So far, half a million pounds has been spent through the app.