A FURIOUS Fairlie pensioner says customers are being short-changed when a Largs ATM machine runs out of cash - then leaves them without access to vital banking information.

Retired driving instructor Brian Fergus, 74, says the TSB bank - which is now only open every Monday and Friday - does not make contingencies for customers needing to know the status of their accounts.

The pensioner said: "If the machine runs out of money, the ATM closes down and I can't get access to my bank statements.

"I am sure I am not the only person affected by this.

"Many people in my generation go nowhere near internet banking, so this is not an option.

"I use the miniature bank statements which come out of the ATM to keep track of my finances.

"Last week the bank was closed on Monday for the holiday and the ATM was still not working by the Tuesday afternoon at 4pm. As a result myself and others have to wait until it is fixed or wait until the Friday when the bank re-opens.

"I was just looking to get a bank statement, which should be simple.

"I am not happy about this situation, and believe the bank need to do more to keep their customers informed. There must be a lot of folk in the same boat."

The Clydesdale Bank in Largs recently closed, meaning more demand on the TSB facility.

Brian said: "The ATM should still, at the very least, by able to give out statements. This situation needs to be sorted.

"With the bank only open two days a week, and less when there are bank holidays, there needs to be something different put in place."

A TSB spokesperson said: “All our ATMs are fully stocked with money ahead of any bank holiday period and they are constantly monitored to ensure that they remain open and in full working order. When problems are spotted or reported, they are always fixed as a matter of priority.

“The ATM at our Largs branch did not run out of money over the bank holiday period. Unfortunately, a bank card got jammed in the machine which caused the machine to automatically shut down. This was reported to our branch partners and they attended as soon as practicable so they could mend the cash machine. The machine was repaired on Tuesday and has been operating as normal from then onwards.

“We are sorry that our customer was temporarily inconvenienced, but it is worth highlighting that all our banking customers can check their balance or withdraw cash at any ATM machine (it doesn’t have to be an TSB branded cash machine), or by using our telephone, mobile or internet banking services 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Photo: John Keachie