Bank apology for cash point hitch

Millions were unable to access funds

Barclays Bank has apologised for a computer meltdown on Sunday which left millions of customers without cash.

"It was a technical problem with the system in the south of England and we're terribly sorry it happened," said bank spokesman Alistair Smith.

The bank said an investigation revealed the problem had nothing to do with the change over to British Summer Time.

It said its cash machines, phone and internet banking services are now back to normal following the breakdown.

About 1,500 cash machines were affected by the glitch.

Customers were unable to withdraw money from hole-in-the-wall machines and Link ATMs, or to use telephone and internet banking.

Barclays said there was no impact on security - only on "accessibility for people to their own accounts".

The problem of the ATMs was solved by 1600 BST on Sunday, although internet banking still remained affected.