Barclays has become the first U.K. high street bank to launch payments using Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, enabling customers to make payments using their voice.

The new feature is now available within the Barclays mobile banking app, according to a press release.

Mobile banking users can authenticate payments via Apple's TouchID fingerprint recognition ensuring maximum security without the need to remember their passcode.

"Barclays has a long history of introducing innovative new products and services to give our customers choice in how they bank," Raheel Ahmed, head of customer experience and channels at Barclays, said in the release. "The introduction of Siri payments to mobile banking customers is another step forward, giving flexibility and greater choice for all our customers."