With a click of a mouse 4,500 miles away, your gran couldn't buy anything in Manchester

With the click of a mouse or a striking of a key, a computer engineer in Austin, Texas set off an extraordinary chain of events which reverberated around the world. It seems incredible that one small action, emanating from a previously little known firm based in the Texan capital, could have prevented a gran from Gorton from buying an ice cream or a cold drink to contend with the hottest day of the year.

It is incredible, but true. Microsoft computers around the world have been unable to run as the US tech giant blamed a software update sent out by CrowdStrike, a security technology firm.

CrowdStrike's software protects connections between computer networks and remote devices including from computers and laptops to payment terminals and cash machines, such as our metaphorical gran. For those of us without the benefit of a degree in computer science, lets just say things did not go as expected when an update in CrowdStrike's software was sent out from its Texan base.

READ MORE: How can one tech issue cause chaos across the globe?

The resulting chaos exposed the fragile nature of modern technology, as the problem meant computers could not load. It led to disruption at shops, airports and GP practices.

As the country woke up, the reality of what had happened overnight was beginning to sink in. Holidaymakers looking to begin their weekend early with a flight in the small hours were among the first to experience the result of what was filtering across from over the pond.

Ryanair was among the carriers to be hit by the problem. With computer systems down, airline staff had to carry out manual check-ins which took more time than it would ordinarily do.

Other early birds catching up on the news with their morning coffee