TAKEAWAY giant Just Eat has been slammed for a new 50p service charge on all its orders.

The company, which arranges delivery for a number of fast food outlets, including hundreds across Somerset, had previously imposed a 50p surcharge on debit and credit card payments.

But these surcharges will be banned when new laws come into force from Saturday, January 13, the BBC reports.

Critics are up in arms after the new legislation was designed to save consumers up to £473m a year in card charges.

Many have also said it is wrong for companies to rebrand credit card fees as surcharges.

But Just Eat said the new system would be fairer for its customers, as those paying by cash will also have to pay the charge.

A spokesman for Just Eat told the BBC the charge means that along with their restaurant partners, the company can continue to deliver the “best possible takeaway experience” and applying the charge equally across the customer bases makes it fair for everybody.