NATIONAL Irish Bank is reminding any customers who are planning to visit France that "it may be necessary to use your Eurocheque card in cash dispensing machines in order to obtain French currency".

The problem first came to Family Money's attention last summer when on holiday in Brittany. A number of banks in the resort of Port Crouesty had posted notices telling tourists that they would not cash Eurocheques at that branch and to use the ATM machines instead. A number of readers later confirmed that they had the same problem in other tourist areas.

NIB, and other banks, are suggesting to customers that they contact their branch before departure to collect a valid PIN number. Depending on the amount you spend, using the Eurocard on its own can work out cheaper than making your purchase by Eurocheque.