Londoners welcome the fivers-only cash machine

We've all been there. It's just before pay day, you're down to the last £5 in your bank account and in desperate need of cash.

The answer lies in the fivers-only cash machine, which after successful trials outside Waterloo station and in east London will now be rolled out across the capital.

Users can withdraw anything from £5 to £50 — but the cash will always be dispensed in £5 notes.

The ATM in Waterloo Road, launched by independent operator Bank Machine, has proved a hit with office workers.

Sophie Blankson, 45, a PA from Croydon, said: "It's a great idea. Sometimes you don't want to take a whole £10 out, especially in these times when people don't have much money. If you get £10 out, it tends to get frittered away on silly things."

PA Heather Bayley, 47, of Stamford Hill, said the machine is ideal for when her bank balance is low.

"As well as just getting £5 out it means you can withdraw £15 instead of £20, which is really useful," she said.

"Banks want you to get out larger amounts, so you go more into debt and they can charge you. This stops you taking out more than you can afford."

Bank Machine's managing director Ron Delnevo said: "This ATM is particularly important in the current economic situation and means people can control their spending."

The Bank of England has said banks need to address the high demand for £5 notes by making them available in their ATMs.