Halifax Bank of Scotland and Sainsbury's machines were unable to access the main Link banking network and could not pay out cash from the early morning.

Link, which operates the main network controlling ATMs, claimed the situation was sorted within a few hours. However, at 3.30pm, the YEP found machines at Sainsbury's still not working.

To compound the problem, the Yorkshire Building Society machines on Briggate were also out of action in the morning – temporarily suspended for maintenance work.

The system failure caused concern for customers – especially those with the current state of the economy in mind.

NHS policy advisor James Doughty, 25, a Halifax customer, said: "Between 8am and 9am I walked all around the city centre trying to get money out. It was a disconcerting, especially when you think of what has been happening to the banks.

"People were very anxious. We're used to cashpoints being down, but not so many at the same time."