Quickie Lickie on Serpentine Road, has gone plastic! Workmen took advantage of last Tuesday's holiday to replace washers, dryers and extractors on the premises with new, card access models from Fowler Equipment of New Jersey.

Customers now purchase the "Quick Card'', which costs $3, but which can be loaded with any amount necessary to operate the machinery.

Manager Rosie Cross said: "We felt we had to charge $3 for the cards so that people won't just throw them away. It's a recyclable card because when the money on the card is used up, we can charge it up again.

"And if people really wanted to return the card, we would reimburse them the three dollars, plus whatever funds are left on the card.'' Customers took to the Quick Cards quickly. They purchased 300 in the first hour after the laundromat re-opened.

It means for both customer and the company, a lot less time locating loose change for coin operated machinery.

QUICK ACCESS -- Quickie Lickie president Walter Cross demonstrates the Quick Card.