FOR many years we have had a wonderful scheme where children could come to school and save their pocket money for the holidays, a present or a rainy day.

The scheme was run by the Yorkshire Bank and gave youngsters the chance to gain an appreciation for, and understanding of, money.

Having run the scheme for the last five years at our local school, I was dismayed to be told that the bank intends to discontinue it from the end of this year.

They will replace it with a 'wonderful idea': that these young account holders can now go to their branch with a little plastic card and make payments and withdrawals themselves.

Oh, really!

One must ask just who is the wit who thinks that in a city with only one branch, the new system will work to the benefit of account holders and the Yorkshire bank?

Graham Way,

Vicarage Gardens,

Osbaldwick,

York.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, October 24, 2001