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Free-to-use cash machines are disappearing at an alarming rate with more than 1,000 ATMs converted to charge fees in March alone, according to the consumer group Which?

Using figures from ATM network Link it found almost 1,700 machines had been converted between January and March with fees of at least 95p per withdrawal, and the rate of change was accelerating.

Which? said that while digital payments are on the rise in the UK, 2.2 million people are still almost entirely reliant on cash in their daily lives.

It warned that the UK risks drifting into a "no-cash" society which could shut people out of paying for local goods and services.

It is urging the government to appoint a regulator to ensure no-one is denied the ability to access cash.

Gareth Shaw, head of money at Which?, said: "Communities are being stripped of free access to cash at an alarming rate that could hit the most vulnerable in our society the hardest, while denying millions of people free withdrawals.

"A regulator is desperately needed to get a grip of these rapid changes across the cash landscape and ensure all those still reliant on this important payment method aren't suddenly shut out from accessing the cash they need in their daily
lives."

Bank branch and cash machine closures have increased concerns about access to cash. And last year over Link's proposals for reducing interchange fees - the fee card issuers pay ATM operators - leading to concerns more free-to-use
cash machines will disappear.

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John Howells, chief executive of Link, said: "Free access to cash is vital for consumers and the UK enjoys extensive coverage that Link is committed to protecting.

"There are more than 50,000 free-to-use ATMs across the UK, 10,000 more than we had in 2009, and currently 12,700 pay-to-use cash machines, down from over 23,000 in 2009.

"Less than 3% of withdrawals at Link ATMs incur a fee.

"For now, there is no need for consumers to be concerned and if they wish to find their most convenient free ATM they can download the Link app for free or access cash over the counter at over 11,500 Post Offices across the UK.

"However, we agree with Which? that regulatory support is needed as there is a risk to cash access in the long run."

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry said: "Charging shoppers to withdraw their own money is wrong and dampens consumer appetite, causing a drag on local growth in the process."

A spokesman for the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) said: "In October 2018, we gave Link a direction to make sure it does all it can to meet its commitments to protecting the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs.

"We are aware that some ATMs have changed from free-to-use ATMs to pay-to-use.

"We are looking into this and if it impacts on the commitment Link has made to us to protect the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs we will take action."