Consumers in seven countries across Europe will now be able to get Ukash prepaid vouchers over the internet through secure bank transfers and using credit cards.

Ukash online issuing will be rolled out across the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and Austria over the coming months, and is already available in Spain with Telepay, Poland with Dotpay and Russia with Webmoney.

This new service, managed by online issuing experts Pinshop, will enable customers to visit the Ukash website and then access a secure interface from which they can transfer money from their online bank account or credit card and turn it into a unique 19-digit Ukash code. The PPRO service supports well known online banking payment methods such as Giropay in Germany and Ideal in the Netherlands. The Ukash voucher is delivered into the customer's secure online account from where they can use it to shop, pay and play online - a completely safe and convenient electronic transaction with no additional fees.

Mark Chirnside, chief executive officer, Ukash said: "Our research has shown that over 80 per cent of our customers in Europe are banked, so we believe that a secure online account will be popular. The Ukash online issuing programme will enable these customers in particular to get their vouchers conveniently online through bank transfers while maintaining their financial security when paying on a website. It also means that consumers are able to spend online without having to leave their homes first to get a physical voucher."