Angry scenes erupted outside the Northern Rock branch in Bolton town centre as worried customers were turned away.

Hundreds of people had queued outside the Bradshawgate branch from 9am, desperate to withdraw savings from the bank.

Police had to be called when staff informed the crowds that the branch would be closing at 12noon, rather than 2pm as they had been earlier told.

There was no trouble, but officers remained at the scene to keep the crowds under control.

Around £1 billion has been withdrawn nationwide, according to the bank.

Janet Walker, who had travelled from Atherton to withdraw her savings, which she is planning to use as her pension fund, said: "We were never told they would be closing the doors at 12noon. This is disgusting, we've been here since before 9am and there has just been a complete lack of information, which is appalling and causing this panic.

"I've completely lost confidence in Northern Rock and just want to get my money out of there, and this situation really hasn't helped."

Dorothy Armatage from Smithills had been standing in the queue on Saturday from 9am. She said: "It has been terrible. I've stood here for three hours because I believed the branch would be open until 2pm, only to be told just before noon that the doors would be closing.

"I was prepared to queue because I thought I would be able to withdraw my money, but that hasn't happened and I'm now feeling more anxious than ever."

The branch closed the doors at 12noon, but continued to deal with customers already inside, although those still in the street had to be turned away.

Ron Stout from Northern Rock insisted customers with savings, mortgages or loans with the bank, had no reason to be concerned about their money and assured people staff were doing all they could to deal with individual customers.

He said: "Northern Rock is a safe and sound bank and people have no reason to be concerned, but we're up against people's perceptions.

"These are exceptional times and branches did open later on Saturday, but there has to be a cut off point in terms of how many customers we can deal with."

The Bank of England, the Treasury and the Financial Services Authority have all issued statements reassuring Northern Rock's customers that the bank is still solvent and a safe company .