Lines again as savers desert UK's Northern Rock

By Simon Rabinovitch

LONDON (Reuters) - Lines of Britons bent on getting their money out formed at Northern Rock Plc's NRK.L bank branches for a third working day on Monday in defiance of reassuring words from government and management.

Some joked that their money would be safer bet on horses or stuffed under a mattress -- anywhere but in a savings account run by this high-profile British victim of a global credit crisis.

Northern Rock, the country's fifth largest mortgage lender, has been in a tailspin since financial authorities stepped in to rescue it on Friday.

"I tried to access my Internet account but I couldn't, so I've come here in desperation, hoping I'll be able to access it in person," James Docherty, a retired physician said outside the branch near London's bustling Oxford Street.

"The first thing is to take the money out -- the next is to see where the safest place to put it is."

The Newcastle-based bank, provider of one in 13 British home loans, sought to reassure customers that its plunging share price could not affect their savings.

"Your money is safe with us and if you want some, or all of it back, then you are perfectly entitled to it. Whilst you may have to wait a little longer than usual to receive it, you will get it," Chief Executive Adam Applegarth said in a message posted on the bank's Web site Sunday.

A letter circulated among the queues sent a similar message.