Last-minute Christmas shoppers are among those who have withdrawn £7.6bn from UK cash machines so far this month.
According to figures from cash machine network Link, released today, this represents a 7 per cent increase on last year's total. The company says that effectively every ATM in the UK is connected to its network, including free and pay-to-use machines.
John Howells, the head of Link, said the milder weather seen in Britain so far this winter has helped to boost the amount of cash being withdrawn.
He said: "Last year's figures were affected by snow and with the good weather we've been having this year we are seeing some big daily swings."
Mr Howells said the total amount withdrawn on Wednesday was 6 per cent down on the same day in 2010. However, last weekend saw significant increases year-on-year, with 18 per cent more cash taken out on Saturday and 11 per cent more on Sunday.
"What is clear is that people are putting more cash in their wallets and purses as we approach the crucial last few shopping days to Christmas," he added.
