An Essex bus company has changed how contactless payment is used on its network as it says it has lost £10,000 over the past three months alone.

Ensignbus, which has routes in south Essex areas such as Southend, Grays and Tilbury, has announced a ban on contacless payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

This is as the company says it has lost £10,000 over the past three months alone through contacless non-payments via smartphones.

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A spokesman for Ensignbus said: "Unfortunately, following on from last Saturday we now need to have further contactless restrictions.

"Apple Pay and Google Pay (Phone/Watch) will no longer be accepted as explained below.

"The more we delve into things, the murkier it gets."

A reduced £10 contacless limit had to be introduced last week due to a rise in fraud with contacless payment via smartphones.

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This means Ensign buses will still accept contacless bank card payments, but there will be a £10 limit.

Responding to customers, the spokesman added: "Apple Pay do indeed have excellent security…for the consumer.

"CCTV has been used in some cases but the sheer scale of the issue and time lapse means it’s not that simple.

"UK banks and certain others only cover transactions up to £10 in value.

"The scam issue with Apple Pay and Google Pay is a bit more complex and would mean no chance of ever getting any money back."