There is no doubt that the most hygienic way to pay for something is with a tap of a contactless card. But if you're spending more than £45 you either have to use a card machine, or hand over cash.

In a grim assessment, the Bank said the economy could shrink by nearly 30 per cent in the first half of this year before recovering some ground.

Savers were handed more bad news today with the Bank of England suggesting its base rate could remain close to historically low levels over the next few years.

There are now several apps available to help you learn about investing, make the right choices for your pension and save up for that big purchase. This is Money takes a look at the best.

An AIM-listed firm that mines mineral sands, which can be used in everyday products such as toothpaste, adhesives and paint, Base Resources is focused on Kenya and Madagascar.

We don't want to gazunder the seller, but also we don't want to harm our own finances and pay over the odds at a time of economic uncertainty.

Jockey Robbie Power sang the praises of Fiddlerontheroof after the 5-4 favourite landed the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown by six lengths.

Thyme Hill completed his hat-trick in the Grade One Challow Novices' Hurdle late last month and is set to head straight to the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds.

Model Frankie Herbert, 24, is the granddaughter of Lord 'Porchie' Porchester, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon and a lifelong friend of the Queen. She is the glamorous face of the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Willie Mullins suffered a triple blow on Friday when he had to rule Saldier, Douvan and Klassical Dream out of next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Popular chaser Un De Sceaux has been retired after sustaining a ligament injury.

The latest case of coronavirus, the third in Gloucestershire, was diagnosed over the weekend and then announced hours before the start of the four-day fixture Festival.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: ITV are in danger of losing the live rights to televise horse racing as the broadcaster are refusing to guarantee will be shown on their main channel.

Prolific mare Put The Kettle On showed the boys the way home in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.

Zara Tindall, 38, posed for photos with close friend Dolly Maude as she made her way inside Cheltenham Racecourse for the start of the four-day meet.

Honeysuckle got the better of Benie Des Dieux in an titanic tussle for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The horse ridden by Rachel Blackmore won by half a length to the favourite.

Ravenhill held off the challenge of Lord Du Mesnil in the final straight to win National Hunt Challenge Cup on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.

Racegoers pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Cheltenham race course in Gloucestershire today for the first day of the annual festival.

Willie Mullins' charge was set to clash with main market rival Defi Du Seuil in Wednesday's two-mile Grade One feature, but has been withdrawn with a vets certificate.

Milan Native claimed a length-and-three-quarter success in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase to provide Elliott with a treble on the day.

Glamorous women turned heads in vibrant colours and standout coats as they arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse this morning.

The backing track as Paisley Park faded out of contention in the Stayers' Hurdle was the 'Sound of Silence' in the packed grandstands, but the seven-strong Racing For Fun syndicate didn't care. 

The reality star, 25, was effortlessly chic in a stylish tartan cape as she watched on the races from the balcony with Ollie, 32.

On Tuesday, just days after the Cheltenham Festival had reached a conclusion, it was announced there will be no more racing in Britain until at least the beginning of May.

The 30-year-old is self-isolating at home and has had no contact with his family since Saturday evening, when he started suffering from coronavirus-like symptoms.

The Made In Chelsea star, 25, explained that her dog can't walk on the floor as he's not had his second lot of vet jabs due to the UK coronavirus lockdown.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 25, looked summery as she soaked up the spring sunshine in a white cropped crochet cardigan.

David Hunter, professor of population health at Oxford, condemned the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude among ministers, while scientists have repeatedly pressed the 'panic button'.

It has emerged that Philip Davies and Caroline Nokes received eight tickets between them from sports betting company GVC Holdings, which owns Ladbrokes and Coral, for the event.

NHS figures show the local hospital trust in Gloucestershire has had 125 patients die from COVID-19, nearly double the amount recorded in Bristol, 58, Swindon, 67, and Bath, 46.

I have had my Barclays accounts since 2014, when I was a student, before moving to Gibraltar. My balances of almost £25,000 have been wiped clean by the bank, without notice.

I am a partner in my family's farming business. We received a cheque for £23,256 for shares in Dairy Crest. But after it was deposited in the business account, Lloyds Bank rejected it.

I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of blood cancer that put me out of work two years ago, can I claim Employment Support Allowance or get any other help?

My partner's father died in South Africa and his girlfriend has cut all ties with us after the funeral. We think she may have made of with the inheritance - what can we do?

My sister and I are my late fathers executors and we have a UK grant of probate, however, this doesn't hold much weight in the US. What can we do?

You should look into Liongate Partners, which is being used to promote crypto currency trading. It promotes a company called DSTL which trades as daxpartners.

I have taken over the management of my mother's finances under a power of attorney which she granted.  She used to pay my children's school fees. Can I continue to make these payments?

I took out two Equitable Lifecare Limited funeral plans. The sales agent assured us repeatedly that we could cancel the plans at any time. I've tried to cancel them both but have had no reply.

Land Equity Limited is offering 15 per cent interest on a one-year investment in a Birmingham property development, can you investigate please?

Labour promises, such as free broadband and a pensions bailout for women born in the Fifties would eviscerate public finances, destroy our credit rating and lead to a run on the pound.

I have an account with Revolut which lets me operate in both euros and sterling. On October 4, Revolut 'temporarily disabled' my account for unspecified 'security reasons'.

On September 5, I tried to buy Premium Bonds for my new granddaughter. I went online, filled out the forms and paid by debit card. I was then asked to upload documents relating to the child's birth.

The truth is that, in or out of the European Union, the citizens of the United Kingdom often under-estimate all the terrific things we have going for us.

In just the past ten days I've battled with my home insurer after the price of my policy was hiked by 30 per cent for no reason, chased my old energy supplier for a £174 refund.

I rented out my late mother's house. I chose Howards Estate Agents to find a suitable tenant in full time employment, but it later became apparent they were not and defaulted on the rent.

We were put over the three hour delay time which entitles us to compensation after we landed at Amsterdam, are we still due a payout or is it based on when the plane touches down?

I am the treasurer of a 300-year-old bowling club. In October, I received a water bill for £1,335.29 (£1,220.72 actual plus £114.57 estimated). Bills had previously been about £30 per quarter.

My son has experienced no end of problems since upgrading his contract. His phone has been cut off, debt collectors have demanded money, and now he's being threatened by bailiffs.

Last July, my wife, daughter and I used travel agent Carlton Leisure to book flights to Beijing with British Airways, returning via Hong Kong, with an internal flight between there and Chengdu.

I received two texts from PayPal in the early hours of August 6 about a suspicious transaction. It was for £170.94 to a company called Zalando SE. I replied at 10.21am to say it was unauthorised.