Internet bank Egg is facing legal action over an alleged breach of contract.

The action - due to begin in the New Year - is being launched by electronic payment outfit Earthport.

Publishing its results yesterday, Earthport said: "The company [Earthport] has prepared a claim against Egg for a substantial sum under the November 2001 contract and for related work and intends to pursue this vigorously in the first quarter of 2004."

No one at Earthport or Egg was available for comment at the time of writing explain exactly what this legal tiff is all about.

However, in a statement, a spokesman from Egg said: "Egg has been advised of a potential claim from Earthport. Egg treats all matters of this nature seriously and strongly refutes these allegations. Following internal investigations, Egg has formally rejected these claims through its legal advisers." ®