Hopefully the new "direct payment" thing will help. I can't see the logic of OAPs taking all their pension in cash the same day every week. Some collect the pensions for half a dozen friends at the same time and walk out with over a thousand pounds in their bags. I think banks should really try harder at convicing them that they should pay for groceries with a debit card and draw a small amount of cash at the post office when they need to, or use an ATM if they feel confident.

Last week I was posting a parcel and an woman of nearly 90 was at the counter in front of me and took out £3,500 in cash from her purse and paid it into a savings account. She dumped it on the counter and had to feed under in batches. Quite why she had that much cash and felt the need to pay it into her account in on go I don't know!

Gareth