THOUSANDS of customers in Hampshire have been left high and dry tonight after a computer meltdown locked millions nationally out of their bank accounts.

In the second such black out this year, RBS and NatWest customers have been reporting how their debit and credit cards are being declined in shops across the county on one of the busiest Christmas shopping days so far.

An RBS spokesman said "We are aware of the technical issues being experienced by customers and are working to get them fixed urgently.

"We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused."