Bank tells woman 'you are dead'

A bank has apologised to a 77-year-old woman for refusing to hand over her £3,000 savings because she was listed as dead.

Mary Welsby, of Albrighton, Shropshire, was told her Abbey Isa account had been closed.

She battled for nine weeks to get the money back, but only received the apology after the BBC investigated.

The bank blamed the mistake on an accident and said she would receive the money back plus compensation.

Mrs Welsby said when she visited her branch to investigate, the cashier told her: "I don't really know how to tell you this Mrs Welsby but according to our records, you are dead."

Mrs Welsby added: "It really was quite a shock to me. I'm 77 years old, a widow, and I simply don't know how I got home from that interview."

With news video.