[davebtelford]

I don't think it's entirely unreasonable for banks to use caution when issuing large sums. For one it's not really safe to be carrying £1000s around the streets in your handbag & we sometimes hear of people being scammed by rogue builders etc and forced to withdraw money in payment. There are often better methods of transferring cash - debit card, on-line transfer or banker's draft. (Just saying.)