A VETERAN who had £10,000 stolen from his bank account by fraudsters has received a full refund.

TSB confirmed Eric Dunnill, from Crook, would be fully reimbursed yesterday morning, much to the relief of the 72-year-old who said the stress of the ordeal was impacting on his health.

Mr Dunnill, who has suffered seven strokes, and his wife, Biddie, discovered the cash has been stolen from their account on May 8. The fraudsters had taken the money through a series of withdrawals made in Malaga in Spain and Ibiza.

As previously reported in The Northern Echo, the couple reported the theft to TSB that day and were told they would be contacted by the fraud team. More than a week passed and no-one had called, despite Mr and Mrs Dunnill chasing it up and visiting their local branch.

A TSB spokesperson said: “We’re really sorry for the experience Mr Dunnill has had and the distress and inconvenience this has caused. I am pleased to say he has been fully refunded.”

Mr Dunnill, a father-of-two who served in the Royal Signals for 16 years, said: “We are so relieved. It was such a worry, it really was.

“I would like to thank The Northern Echo and all of the people who contacted us after reading about what happened. It really means a lot to us both.”