Consumer watchdog Which? is planning on launching on official complaint about the surcharges imposed on debit and credit card customers.

It will call upon the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the fees, which customers are often only made aware of when it comes to making a payment.

Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith commented: "There's simply no justification for excessive card charges - paying by card should cost the consumer the same amount that it costs the retailer."

He emphasised that low-cost airlines are among the worst offenders when it comes to excess charges for debit and credit card users, although the issue is becoming more prominent.

Cinemas, hotels and local authorities were all identified by Mr Vicary-Smith as other offenders.

It was recently said by John De Groot, chairman at Success Strategy, that banks are still restricting the amount of credit available to customers through strict criteria.