John Charcol has axed its fees-free advice on telephone mortgage applications.

The brokerage introduced the service under its telephone arm, Charcol, in January last year via an 0800 telephone number, but continued to charge a fee for face-to-face appointments. The move will see the Charcol arm disappear and all mortgage services coming under the main John Charcol brand.

Rival fee-free telephone brokerage London & Country says it has no intention of moving to a fee-based model.