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Scores of Londoners were today left unable to withdraw cash or use their bank card after a nationwide Barclays computer crash.

People across the UK reported their bank cards being declined in shops and restaurants while some branches were forced to shut early.

Barclays banks in Ealing and Feltham reportedly closed early on Saturday afternoon as customers complained their day had been “messed up” by the technical problems.

At just before 5pm on Saturday, the bank said all services were back up and running.

Staff at the Ealing branch put up a sign which read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances our computer systems have crashed and we are unable to complete transactions.

“We apologise for the inconvenience. This is a national issue.”

Derek Jones-Bennett, who lives in Tooting, had his card declined when he tried to pay for a meal out with friends.

He told the Standard: “Basically I have no access to any money.

“I went to pay for lunch, I was treating some friends and my card kept getting declined.

"I thought this was really odd so I logged onto my online banking and I saw I had money.

"I had to leave the place to get cash but it kept saying I had insufficient funds when I knew I don't."

He said he rang customers services who told him there are currently technical issues.

"I'm stranded," he added.

Londoner Aaron Linstead said he had gone shopping in Hounslow when the problems started.

He told the Standard: "When I went to pay for items via contactless and pin, it kept declining it.

“It worked only once after the third try in Sports Direct. I went to McDonalds and ordered food, and the same thing happened in there, declined two times so I had to leave my food and go next door to my local branch in Hounslow High Street.

“I spoke to someone at the door who said that the system is down nationwide and you can only get money out from inside behind the counter, which I had to do.

“I went to other shops around Hounslow and they all said they've had problems with customers using Barclays Bank cards."

Many others across the capital and UK said they experienced similar problems.

A Barclays spokesperson said: "We’re aware some customers may have had issues with some digital services today.

"We can confirm everything is now back up and running and customers can get money out of ATMs and card payments are going through. We apologise to any customers that were impacted.”

Earlier they had said: “Technical issues are affecting some digital services. We're investigating this and apologise for any inconvenience.”