Lloyds TSB, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers were unable to use cash machines, pay by card in store or carry out some online transactions on New Year's Eve afternoon, delaying celebrations.

Angry customers took to Twitter to complain about the issue:

@asklloydstsb Thanks for ruining NYE - Due to your systems crashing on the busiest night of the year I have no food or drink. Bah humbug

- MatureLLB (@MatureLLB) December 31, 2012

Thanks @asklloydstsb for leaving me humiliated with 2 babies, in a shop, unable to pay for food on New Year's Eve,due to your blip!#Lloyds

- Amanda⭐ (@AmandaPanda75) January 1, 2013

The problem was resolved by early evening, with a bank spokesman telling the Telegraph: "For a short period earlier this afternoon some customers experienced intermittent problems with certain functionalities of viewing their current account balances and payment transactions. We were able to quickly identify the root cause and all services were fully restored within the hour."