TESCO Bank has rejoined the battle in the credit card market with a 32-month interest-free period on balance transfers, its longest ever.

The new offer includes a three-month zero per cent interest period on purchases, writes Iona Bain.

The balance transfer fee on the card is 2.9 per cent.

David McCreadie, managing director, banking, at Edinburgh-based Tesco Bank, said the new deal was "one of the most competitive currently in the market".

It follows a 31-month offer by Sainsbury's Bank, a 32-month deal from Halifax, and last month a table-topping 33-month zero per cent transfer period from Barclaycard.