A woman who wanted to open a bank account was shocked at being told 14 different items of identification were not enough to prove who she was.

Dorothy Holloway produced documents including her marriage certificate, National Insurance card, previous bank statements and a cash card.

But they were not good enough for the NatWest bank in Witney. She was told she had to have two of the following: a driving licence, passport, council tax book or benefits book.

Mrs Holloway, of Wenrisc Drive, Minster Lovell, was stumped. She does not drive or claim benefits, has not been abroad and pays council tax by direct debit.

"This ridiculous situation needs highlighting," she said. "It's as if I don't exist. Are those of us without ID to resort to stuffing money under mattresses or floorboards?"

She needs a new account because The Woolwich is closing its branch in Witney in December. She was told she could transfer her account to the branch in Oxford or to Barclays Bank in Witney.

But she did not want to become a Barclays customer and so went to the NatWest.

"To be fair, the manager did his best to try to get me an account, but pointed out the Government has changed the rules on proof of identity since I last opened an account," she said.

A NatWest spokesman said: "Instead of a benefits book, she could provide any documentation from a utility company but I'm sure we can accommodate her."

He said Mrs Holloway should call NatWest's main customer services line. Afterwards, she said: "I was told I could take a marriage certificate, National Insurance and any number of documents and they would be pleased to help me with an account. What's going on?"

Witney MP David Cameron has now taken up her case. He said: "The question is a simple one. What exactly are the requirements to open a bank account and are they over-stringent?"