It will enable users to tap and pay with their Android devices at almost 460,000 retailers and businesses in the UK where contactless payments are accepted.

Google said Android Pay will support MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards from many of the UK’s major financial institutions — including Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society — with new banks set to be added.

Android Pay is currently only available in the US where Google said it “had been growing steadily with 1.5 million new registrations happening each month”.

Apple Pay, which is accessible to certain iPhone users, launched in the UK in July 2015.