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Paul Clarke, an IT worker at a school in Crewe, told the ´óÏó´«Ã½ about the example of the £5,000 loan taken out by his wife Carol-Ann.

Despite taking out a payment protection (PPI) policy to go with it, the bank refused her claim when she lost her job, and he had to pay off the loan instead.

He estimates that the PPI premiums for what turned out to be useless insurance cover amounted to between £300 and £400.

"Seven years ago we were invited to go the bank branch for an account review," Paul said.

"We needed some funds and were offered a loan in my wife's name. She took up the PPI because she was told if she lost her job it would make the loan repayments for her."

"Two years ago she lost her job with a local cleaning firm, so she went to the Lloyds branch to activate the PPI."

"She was told she couldn't because I was working and money was still coming in."

"I had to make the loan repayments instead."

Had any of this been explained to him or Carol-Ann when she took out both the loan and the PPI?

"No, definitely not, I am absolutely sure," Paul said.

"There was no reference to me in the loan at all. There was no mention at all of any restrictions."

"We had been left with the impression that if my wife could not pay for any reason the PPI would kick in and would make the payments for her."

Would she have bought the PPI had she known the true state of affairs?

"No, it would have been pointless."

When did Paul realise his his wife might have a claim for mis-selling?

"I only recently realised I might have been done wrong over PPI."

"We haven't complained yet. I am going to see if they do write to us. If they don't we will make a formal complaint."

When contacted by the ´óÏó´«Ã½, Lloyds offered to look into the Clarkes' case.

A spokesperson added: It must be noted that we wish to handle and resolve all complaints "quickly and to the satisfaction of our customers".

"We take all our complaints very seriously and are committed to handling them on a fair and consistent basis.

"In line with our complaint handling policy we will assess a customer's PPI complaint and provide redress where appropriate."