Carry on signing - for some cardholders anyway.

Byline: JANE HALL

CARDHOLDERS may be allowed to continue signing for purchases after February 14, provided they have a valid reason.

Exemptions will include people who are visually impaired, otherwise disabled, or have a mental illness. But it is not limited to these groups.

Sandra Quinn, from the Association of Payment Clearing Services, advises those who believe they have a genuine reason for not being able to use a Chip and Pin card to contact their bank. They can issue chip and signature cards at their discretion.

Even after Valentine's Day, there will still be a small number of signature-based cards. Paul Smith, from the British Retail Consortium, says: "We want to strongly dispel the myth that old-style cards should not be accepted after February 14.

"Both in the run-up and, even after February 14, cards that have yet to be upgraded, cards from overseas and chip and signature cards for disabled cardholders should always be accepted.

"If any customer with a signature-only card has an issue, they should urge the member of staff to insert the card into the terminal and follow the prompts.

"The machine will automatically request a signature."