Bank refund after technical glitch

Consumers should enjoy faster money transfers following wide-ranging regulatory reforms which has come into force

Shoppers who were charged twice for purchases after a technical problem with Bank of Scotland's electronic card terminals in some stores will be reimbursed.

Although a spokesman for the bank could not say how many people had been affected across the UK he said it was a "small number".

The Bank of Scotland, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, confirmed it was a UK-wide problem, but it had not affected its whole network.

The spokesman said: "Yes, we have had an issue where a small number of customers who have used these payment terminals have been double charged for their purchases.

"We have fixed the problem and will make sure any customers affected are reimbursed in full by Thursday at the latest."

But businesses said some customers were very angry with the extra charge.

Chris Parton, owner of the Highland Soaps Company's shop in Fort William, in Inverness-shire, Scotland, told the BBC News website: "Some people have come to the shop very angry about it, because they think it is us who have charged them twice."

He told the BBC the shop had made two refunds to appease upset customers.