PEOPLE are being urged to have their say about cash machine charges as part of a campaign launched this month.

Wear Valley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is asking residents to take part in an online survey about how cash machine charges affect them.

Of 53,000 cash machines in the UK, 20,000 charge a flat-rate fee of up to £1.85 per transaction regardless of the sum withdrawn.

In Wear Valley, it is estimated that about 40 per cent of machines have a charge.

The area's CAB is encouraging people to complete the survey, on www. adviceguide.org.uk, as part of their campaign.

Peter Singer, business and development manager of Wear Valley CAB, said: "Cash machine charges hit people on low incomes and those living in deprived areas particularly hard, especially coupled with recent bank and post office closures.

"We think banks and cash machines should always display clear information about when charges will be imposed and how much these will be. We will be carrying out our own research locally to see how clear the warning signs on cash machines in the area really are.

"We also want to make sure people know where they can find free machines locally."