BUDGIE the Helicopter has failed to yield the sort of funds that the Duchess of York needs to maintain her lifestyle, but Fergie has an understanding banker. Coutts, the private bank owned by National Westminster Bank, says an overdraft of £1 million is not unusual.

Fergie's reported problems extend well beyond £1 million, but it's good to know that the Queen's banker is supportive.

Now managed by former Ulster Bank chief executive Mr David Went, Coutts would not comment on a client's affairs. But the bank told the Guardian this week that, with an overdraft of £1 million, it would need to know what the overdraft was for, the period of the overdraft and the security offered. The interest rate would be negotiable and would depend on the circumstances but would be about 8 1/2 per cent. David Went can now expect a flood of overdraft applications.