A SHOPPING centre is introducing another way to pay.

The Spend Me Card, offered at The Mall in Middlesbrough, combines aspects of a gift voucher and a credit card.

It can be redeemed at any of the shops in the centre. Funds have to be paid into the Spend Me Card account ahead of a shopping trip, meaning you can only spend what you can afford.

Laura McDermott, The Mall's marketing manager, said: "The card can have many uses and be so much more than its primary function as a gift item. Because you can't overdraw on it, those who can't normally get bank cards or struggle to stick to budgets could use one to monitor and control their spending.

The Spend Me Card is available from the Ask Me Point at The Mall and can be loaded with up to £1,000 of credit.