Bank customers across Sussex are to get the chance to tap their feet to music as they stand in queues for cashiers' desks.

HSBC is employing DJs to draw up playlists to reduce boredom in 400 of its busiest branches across the UK.

The idea has already been trialled in 50 branches, including Ditchling Road, Brighton.

It has echoes of The Full Monty when actor Robert Carlyle led the cast in moving their hips while queuing for their dole.

The bank has signed a contract with Immedia Broadcasting, headed by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes, for an in-store radio station called HSBC Live.

The station will feature a mix of popular music, news and sports as well as information on products and services.

HSBC said the station had proved popular with customers in trials.

But the Independent Banking Advisory Service (Ibas), a consumer watchdog, questioned whether the move was to cover up for bad service.

Last month, a number of customers complained to HSBC chairman Sir John Banham at the annual meeting of the bank about the lack of staff and long queues at branches.

An HSBC spokeswoman rejected the criticism, pointing out 1,000 people were being recruited to staff its cashiers' desks and deal with customers.

Wednesday June 15 2005