UK Gmail users can now send cash by email

As well as pictures of kittens and documents, consumers can now just as easily add money as an email attachment.

As well as pictures of kittens and documents, consumers can now just as easily add money as an email attachment.

Google launched the service, which works in conjunction with Google Wallet, in its native US back in May 2013 and there it has stayed, until Thursday's announcement.

Now, if you live in the UK, are over the age of 18 and have a Gmail account, you will be able to safely and securely send friends and family money, but only via the desktop browser.

And as long as the sender has a Gmail account, the recipient doesn't have to have one (obviously they do need some form of email address, however) but he or she will have to set up a Google Wallet Balance in order to receive the cash. This in turn requires a valid credit or debit card that will be linked to Google Wallet for sending or receiving funds and transferring them to a bank account.

Apart from that, the system is very easy to use. Hovering over the attachment icon in a Gmail message will bring up the '£' button. Click on it and type in the amount of money you wish to send. It will be debited from your Google Wallet and sent to whomever you're emailing.

Although announced on Thursday, Google says that it will take several weeks to roll the service out to every UK Gmail user aged 18 or over.