M&S to go Orange

Marks and Spencer is to stock mobile phones that will run on the Orange network.

The retailer said a full announcement will be made next month, nearer the launch of a bespoke service rumoured to feature remote shopping and financial services.

After a well-publicised slump in sales, M&S is known to be looking at innovative distribution methods to make a come back, and the Motorola-manufactured handsets would mark a major move away from its own St Michael brand.

High-street rivals Asda, Tesco, Safeway and Sainsbury's this summer entered a price war on pre-paid phones from the big four networks.