Customers do not need an online bank account to make payments via the BillPay website, they simply require access to the internet and a payment card, such as Visa Debit.

Almost 200 organisations now accept payments via BillPay, including local authorities, utility companies, housing associations and the Inland Revenue.

Keith Rennie, Product Manager for Bill Payments at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, said: "The popularity of BillPay has grown considerably in the last 12 months. Many organisations are increasingly promoting the benefits of online payments to their customers and more organisations have joined the BillPay scheme after recognising how quickly and easily they can receive payments online. Typically, the service can be up and running in a matter of weeks – and at a fraction of the cost of developing an online payment system in-house."

Rennie adds: "The BillPay service is also convenient and very easy for customers to use – which encourages them to pay promptly."

The service is free to bill payers. Registering takes only a few moments and is carried out entirely online. Billpay uses secure, 128-bit encryption technology and, unlike some sites, card details are not retained on the BillPay servers.

BillPay PLUS uses the same technology as BillPay, but is entirely branded in the bill issuer’s style and the service seamlessly integrates with their own site. It also provides additional functionality such as real-time viewing of payments being made and the ability to cancel or refund payments.

The BillPay and BillPay PLUS online services are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it a very convenient way to pay bills either at home or in the office.