BBC News Online: Business

Last chance for Midshires customers

Any shares not claimed by 25 July this year will be sold off, Halifax said.

But at least anyone missing out on the shares will still have nine years to claim the net sale proceeds, together with the amount earned in dividends since the takeover.

Those who failed to take up a cash windfall after the takeover will get nothing unless they claim by 25 July.

The Halifax said that about 19,000 people had neglected to claim the shares they were owed, totalling about £7.6m.

Another 6,800 have yet to claim their cash distribution, for another £6.8m.

Anyone who was an investing member of Midshires at the end of 1997 with a balance of at least £100 could claim 400 preference shares.

Members who simply had a balance of £100 in October 1998 and had been a member since the end of 1995 could claim £400 in cash.