CROWDS of people were turned away from Colne's main post office yesterday after the coffers ran dry.

The post office was closed from 9.30am to 12.10pm, and around 160 people wanting to collect their disability and sickness benefits and pensions before the bank holiday were left penniless.

A 49-year-old disabled man, from Winewall, who did not want to be named, arrived at the post office to find a note which said there was no money in the building.

He said: "I had gone to the post office for my disability benefit, but the note said we would have to go to an alternative post office for benefits and pensions.

"I thought it was odd so I went inside and there were an elderly couple in front of me who were sent packing to Nelson and they looked very disappointed

"A gentleman in front of me paid some tax on some vehicles so I went to the counter and asked if I could get my benefit now she had some money and I was lucky."

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "I can confirm we had to close briefly yesterday morning because of a lack of cash.

"We do apologise to customers who were inconvenienced and the problem has now been solved."