Customers cash in as bank machine doubles their money

IT LOOKED like an April Fool's jape. Bank customers in Grimsby could not believe their luck when the cash dispenser went haywire and began paying double what they had requested, writes Marianne Macdonald.

Word spread quickly about the charitable hole-in-the-wall and an orderly queue formed outside the Yorkshire Bank in Cleethorpes Road.

One 24-year-old, who did not want to be named, asked for pounds 100 and was given pounds 200. He said: 'This is the kind of bank I like. It was throwing money at me. I thought it was an April Fool but it was real. There's never usually a queue at the cash machine, and I couldn't understand why so many people were waiting. When I counted my cash I soon realised the attraction.'

The bonanza, which started after close of business on Wednesday, ended yesterday morning when a helpful customer reported the fault. The bank has launched an inquiry.

The bank may also be considering changing its motto, 'Everything you need from a bank and nothing you don't need,' to, 'Everything you need - and considerably more'. A Yorkshire Bank spokeswoman said: 'It was an incident affecting only the Grimsby branch. Judging by the transaction roll about eight customers were affected.'

She would not say whether the slips showed the amount they had requested or the amount received, nor give the total cash involved.

One customer had voluntarily repaid the extra and the rest would be contacted individually if any 'adjustments were necessary'.