IN spite of fears of an economic slowdown, UK consumers withdrew more than £1 billion from more than 3,000 Barclays cash machines in the run up to Christmas this year.

The busiest day for ATM withdrawals was Friday, December 21, with consumers withdrawing over £90 million. Midday was the peak time to withdraw cash with a total of 109,220 transactions processed and £9.7 million dispensed in one hour alone.

Customers even withdrew significant amounts of cash on Christmas Day with more than £5 million being dispensed at Barclays cash machines.

Updated: 08:54 Tuesday, January 15, 2002