Desperate customer stages protest after £900 goes missing from his bank account

A DESPERATE bank customer staged a High Street protest after £900 mysteriously disappeared from his account and he was told it would not be returned until after Christmas.

Edward Rainsford was looking forward to flying to America in the New Year to meet his sister who he has not seen since she attended his wife's funeral last year.

However, when the 43-year-old checked his Abbey National bank account online two weeks ago he found that £900 had gone missing.

He said: "When I first spoke to someone from the bank I was told it would be unlikely I would have the money back before Christmas, which would have meant the end of my New York trip."

The widower, who works as a driver for Prospects, a charity which helps people with learning disabilities, spent a week battling against bank bureaucrats who told him 'someone will call' and to 'come back later'.

However, last Friday, the Burnham man decided he 'had had enough' and took matters into his own hands.

Mr Rainsford, of Golf Links Road, sat outside Weston's Abbey National branch in the High Street with a placard which read: "I am not a beggar I just want the £900 Abbey National has allowed someone to steal from my account."

He said he would not be leaving until the problem was sorted.

Mr Rainsford was invited in by the branch manager who cut through the red tape on his behalf to get his money returned.

Speaking afterwards he said: "The sign made them really edgy. The manager came out and was very helpful. She took me into the bank and when she checked my account she found the money had been replaced. I was quite relieved the money was finally back there.

"I am now looking forward to a happy Christmas."

Mr Rainsford will now fly out to New York to see his sister who he has not seen since his wife died of cancer last year.

A spokesman for Abbey National said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to Mr Rainsford and we are glad he now has his money.