Almost three-quarters of consumers with dormant credit cards would close their account if an "inactivity fee" was introduced.

Research from price comparison website moneysupermarket.com found 73 per cent of consumers with inactive cards would simply shut down their account if their provider brought in a fee.

It follows the news that Lloyds TSB is to impose a £35 annual charge on "low usage" credit card account holders - including those who do not use their cards at all.

To avoid paying such a fee, 26 per cent of customers said they would switch to another provider, with less than one per cent stating they would start spending on their card more regularly, a survey of more than 2,000 people found.

Rob Kenley, head of credit cards at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Consumers, with the help of regulatory bodies, are really getting tough when it comes to their finances. The revolt against existing charges applied to other products is apparent enough, but as credit card providers plan to introduce new fees, it is clear how people plan to respond."

He added: "Consumers won't be taking the fees on the chin - they will be voting with their feet."