LONDON (Reuters) - A cash machine became a big hit this week after it started paying out twice as much money as it should.

The ATM, outside a supermarket in Hull, began spewing out double the money on Tuesday afternoon and continued doing so for several hours, drawing a crowd of hundreds eager to cash in on the mistake.

Those requesting the maximum daily withdrawal of 300 pounds were being given 600 pounds and a receipt for 300.

"People were calling their mates up and telling them to get down there," the Hull Daily Mail quoted a passer-by as saying.

After several hours the machine finally ran out of money.

Payzone, a company that administers ATMs, would not comment in detail on the incident but said it appeared one of its machines had malfunctioned.

Police said those who had benefited could face charges but only if the operator complained.

Wade Redden has had to wait a long time to gain unrestricted free-agent status. He’s on the brink of cashing in on a contract that probably will be the most lucrative of his career.

If the 30-year-old Ottawa Senators defenseman plays it right, not only will he be set for life but also he probably will be able to take care of anyone he wants. He already has been pretty good about that, using a portion of a $3.57-million, two-year deal signed before last season toward the family farm and an in-ground swimming pool for the family home.

Displaying an unselfish nature isn’t new to Redden, who in his rookie season of 1997-98 purchased a luxury box to host sick and terminally ill children from a children’s hospital for Senators home games.

But there’s a downside to Redden’s pending cash grab. And that situation reared its ugly head Friday when, much to the dismay of Senators general manager Bryan Murray, word leaked out that Murray had a conversation with Redden because another team – reportedly the San Jose Sharks – had inquired about acquiring the veteran blue liner.

Murray needed to find out if Redden was interested in waiving his no-trade clause before he could speak any further with San Jose or any other team that might be interested. Redden said no, his intentions are to remain in Ottawa.

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