Nearly a million people could be left without the ability to pay for their purchases due to the looming chip and pin deadline.

Many consumers, including the elderly, visually impaired and infirm will not be able to use a chip and pin card come 14 February. In a survey carried out by price comparison site, Moneysupermarket.com, 80% of elderly people questioned said they supported the new initiative but remained confused about how it would work.

However, there is an alternative for such cardholders, according to Richard Mason, director of credit cards at Moneysupermarket.com. He said: “Some of the 800,000 infirm or registered blind Brits who might be unable or uncomfortable using chip and pin technology are legally entitled to apply for a chip and signature card direct from their card provider – but they have just 19 days to do so, otherwise they could be left without the means of plastic payment altogether.”