A STUDENT found himself suspected by a building society of having forged money - even though it came from the society's own cash machine.

Chris Wharrad, 20, who is studying law at Durham University, withdrew £300 from his HSBC bank account at the cash machine outside the Nationwide Building Society in the city's Market Place.

But when he went into the branch to pay the money, in £20 notes, into his Nationwide account, the clerk found a suspected forged note.

Chris, a second year student in the middle of exams, says he was taken to the manager's office and left locked in while the incident was investigated.

He had kept the receipt and the branch accepted the suspect note had come from its cash machine and credited him with the full amount.

"They didn't say how many notes there was a problem with but said the money felt too plasticky and the metal strip through it was odd,'' he said.

"I had to go into the manager's office and I gave him the receipt. He left the room, which was locked behind him, while he checked it and looked at the CCTV It was heart-stopping really. I'm a law student and anything like that would destroy my life.

"I have never been accused of anything before. I have never seen a forged note, and I felt guilty even though I hadn't done anything.

"Because it was a large amount of money I bothered with a receipt. If it had been smaller I might not have bothered.

"They didn't really apologise. They said the money is in your account, there you go, it's sorted out.''

Chris said he was told cash machine notes were supplied by a security firm and checked daily. "You don't really feel safe banking with the same people. They say it doesn't matter who you bank with, you will still be faced with the same problem.''

He has written to the company asking why it happened and if there is anything they can do to make him feel confident about keeping his account.

A spokeswoman said one note aroused suspicion because it was of 'poor quality' unlike the others from the machine. She said it might be a legal note, had been sent away for further investigation and that such incidents were rare.

"Staff at the Nationwide are always vigilant but there are times when it is necessary to take precautions to protect our members and their money.

"On this occasion it was appropriate to take a little time and check the money.

We are sorry Mr Wharrad was inconvenienced and our branch manager apologised. We would like to apologise for the delay.''