A ground-breaking new swipecard is all set to revolutionise the way council tenants pay their bills, thanks to a company based in Hereford.

Until now, many people have had to juggle separate swipecards in order to pay their different bills - including their rent and council tax - but allpay.net's BIG Card will enable users to pay as many bills as they like using just one piece of handy plastic.

The card was unveiled to the public for the first time today at an Institute Of Revenues exhibition in Manchester. It will be piloted by Bristol City Council.

Described as the most exciting product to hit the financial market in more than 20 years, the BIG Card is already being used by the Post Office.

Using Advanced Data Capture technology from the post office, the BIG Card has the potential to enable its users to pay as many bills as they like. And because it can be used in any Post Office across the length and breadth of Great Britain making a payment with it couldn't be easier.

Benefits for the client include efficiency, in the number of cards required for their bill payment schemes, improved customer satisfaction, rapid data transmission and reduced risk of fraud.

Tony Killeen, managing director of allpay.net, said: "We are thrilled to be launching what we believe is the single most exciting product to hit the bill payment market in this country for more than 20 years.

"We are certain that the BIG Card will make a huge difference to people's everyday lives - it gives customers a more convenient way to pay for a range of council services and provides local authorities the opportunity to offer a more efficient and cost effective payment method."

Worcester City Council considered a similar scheme some time ago, but decided it was more suited to rural areas.

A spokesman said: "It is easy for residents in Worcester to pay their bills. Such a scheme would be more suited to rural locations and not to a city. It was also quite expensive. We do not have any plans to change the way we work."