Contactless charity boxes are set to be widely introduced after a successful trial of the technology drew donations from members of the public who travel without cash.

Organisations including Oxfam and the NSPCC have trialled boxes fitted with the wireless receivers in recent months, meaning the old excuse of "sorry, no change" is no longer an option.

It comes in response to fears about the rise of the cashless society cutting off a lifeline for charities. Cash payments are declining rapidly in Britain thanks to contactless technology, which allows shoppers to quickly pay for a coffee or sandwich simply by tapping their card up to a limit of £30.