CUSTOMERS at a leading bank were pushed into the red by a computer glitch which debited accounts twice for the same transaction.

Clydesdale Bank today confirmed there had been a "technology fault", but refused to say how many customers were affected.

It has emerged that some transactions on Wednesday were processed twice by bank computers, leaving many customers overdrawn.

Bellshill Labour councillor Harry McGuigan discovered the error when his wife tried to pay for shopping - only to be told that her card had been declined.

Mr McGuigan said: "Naturally my wife was quite embarrassed about the incident, and we couldn't understand why the card was declined when there was no way we could be overdrawn."

The bank call centre couldn't help him, but he was finally told what had happened by branch staff.

He plans to take the issue up with the Banking Ombudsman.

A spokesman for the Clydesdale Bank said: "It was a simple technology fault.

"We are crediting the individuals affected, and have told staff to be very sympathetic to customers affected.

"We are offering temporary overdrafts until the money is back in their accounts. If any customer goes over their overdraft as a result of this they will not incur any charges."