INTERNATIONAL visitors can now buy and receive Oyster cards before they arrive in London.

Transport for London has joined forces with VisitBritain to sell Oyster cards through their online shops.

The Oyster card is an electronic smartcard which holds cash and travel cards, enabling passengers to pay for tube, bus and tram journeys. It also works out the cheapest fare for your travel.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Oyster is already a proven success with Londoners and this new deal will make it easier for millions of overseas visitors to get around London."

In 2005, international visitors made 13.9 million trips to London and spent £6.9bn.

The cards will initially go on sale in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Portugal and the US.

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