BT is slapping a £5 charge on late payers in a bid to recoup some of the admin costs involved in chasing punters.

Tucked at the back of this month's Update pamphlet it reads: "For new bills sent from 1st December 2004, BT started charging customers a £5 late payment charge if payment is not received in full within five calendar days from date of dispatch of the red reminder. The charge will normally appear on your next bill."

A spokesman for the monster telco said the charge "brings us in line with other companies" and "helps recover admin costs".

Earlier this month BT was accused of slipping in a "stealth price rise" of up to 110 per cent for its telephone customers following changes to its tariffs. ®

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