A bank has cancelled a customer’s account to “protect its staff” after he made an inappropriate quip to a woman cashier.

Alan Jackson-Smyth, 56, spotted a sticker saying £200 on the breast of the cashier’s shirt at the Didcot branch of Halifax and asked: “How much for the pair.”

But bank bosses did not see the funny side and have now cancelled the father-of-two’s account, a move Mr Jackson-Smyth branded “political correctness gone mad” because he claimed he was just bantering.

The Banking Code Standards Board said it was rare for accounts to be closed because of this type of behaviour, but Halifax spokesman Jennie Carroll said there had been other innuendoes from Mr Jackson-Smyth.

Mrs Carroll said: “It’s not a decision that has been taken lightly and it is a situation where it is entirely the right thing to do.

“It was a decision made in the best interests of colleagues and customers.”

She could not say whether the incident was unique but said that the bank would always act to protect staff.

The BCSB — the regulatory banking body — has said that banks have the right to cancel accounts as a result of threatening or abusive behaviour towards staff.

Adrian Lloyd, BCSB enforcement and regulatory affairs director, said: “We don’t have statistics to demonstrate the point, but I would say it was fairly rare and only in exceptional circumstances.”

Chef Mr Jackson-Smyth, of Peeble Drive, Didcot — who admitted making innuendoes towards staff — said he visited the branch three weeks ago to withdraw money.

He said: “When I go into my local bank I have a laugh and a joke with all the boys and the girls behind the counter.

“This girl came in and we had a nice ‘hello’ and she had just set up her till. She must’ve counted up £200 as she put a label on to her left breast for £200, so I said ‘how much for the pair?’.

“That’s what I said and for that I was called in by the manager and told off.”

The 56-year-old, who has banked with Halifax for a year, said he apologised on his next visit.

He said: “At the end of it, I haven’t got a bank account.

“It’s all so daft really, I can’t believe this has occurred.

“It’s absolutely PC gone mad.”

Mr Jackson-Smyth has now transferred his current and savings accounts to Lloyds TSB.

Peter Griffiths, a manager of Business Link — an independent body that advises businesses — said: “Although we are unable to comment on this particular case, all employers have a legal duty of care to their employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

“Employees should be protected from harassment in any job where they meet the public.”

didcot@oxfordmail.co.uk