Technology which guesses your age by using a camera to scan your face is to be trialled by one of the UK's biggest supermarkets.

Asda has announced it is to become the first grocery retailer to put to the test 'automated age verification' at its self-service checkouts for shoppers wanting to buy alcohol.

A camera built into the screens of self-checkouts will accurately estimate a customer's age to try and make the process quicker and easier for customers scanning their own shopping and wanting to buy beer, wine or spirits.

Shoppers purchasing alcohol will need to look a the camera which will verify their age before they are allowed to complete their purchase.

The initiative is part of a Home Office test to allow the trial of technologies that can help in situations where the age of people needs to be verified.

The trial is in partnership with checkout technology leaders NCR and digital identity network, Yoti, which allows people to pass an age threshold in seconds without the need for an ID document or human intervention.

Yoti says its system is designed to provide customers with a much quicker and seamless shopping experience while also preserving their privacy.

If the camera detects that a customer looks younger than 25, they will then need to prove their age using either the Yoti or Post Office EasyID apps, which are already available.

Those who do not wish to use the digital system at self-checkouts will continue to have the option to show their ID to an Asda member of staff, says the company.

The trial is to begin initially in two Asda stores – Pudsey and Stevenage – with tests of the high-tech systems due to run until the end of May.

Geri Hebberd, senior director of retail innovation at Asda, said: “We know how time pressed some of our customers are, so we always want to make things quicker and easier for them when they shop with us.

"We are excited to be the first retailer in the UK to test this new technology and are looking forward to seeing what our customers think of the trial. The use of this software will enable colleagues to focus on serving customers and make sure they have an excellent experience whilst in store.”