The move, which demonstrates a continued commitment to providing a safe online environment to browse and transact in, will allow its 18 million members to use either their PayPal account, credit or debit card. Friends Reunited's sister websites Genes Reunited and Friends Reunited Dating will also be incorporating PayPal.

Cameron McLean, General Manager Merchant Services at PayPal said: "PayPal is delighted to be working with Friends Reunited. I believe both Friends Reunited and its members will benefit from the partnership. Friends Reunited gains an alternative way to accept credit and debit card payments online and in turn their online members can pay for the services they need quickly and with the peace of mind that their financial details are safe and never shared."

Friends Reunited joins a growing list of merchants, both large and small, who are committed to ensuring their customers' need for optimum security and are benefiting from using PayPal as a safe, easy and affordable way to receive payments.

Jonathan Clark, Head of Friends Reunited said: "We are focused on providing the safest online environment for our members, whether browsing the website, contacting their old friends or making a payment. This partnership with PayPal will mean our members can use this popular payment method as an alternative to credit cards whilst ensuring their financial information is safe and secure."

Currently PayPal enables over 15 million UK accounts to keep their financial details secure and to choose whether to fund the transaction either directly from a bank account or from a credit card transaction. By not sharing a customer's financial information, PayPal's fraud prevention keeps users fully protected with payments made immediately.