Protest over building society move

Campaigners fighting to prevent a national building society from pulling out of a Mid Wales town are planning a protest.

Nationwide has announced plans to withdraw its services from Llanidloes, after 37 years in the town.

The firm, the only building society in the town, plans to close the agency on August 21.

A small protest has already been held in Llanidloes, but now people fighting to save the branch are planning a protest at Nationwide's headquarters in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Customers have also threatened to close their accounts.

Nationwide said the agency, located at solicitors Milwyn Jenkins & Jenkins in Great Oak Street, was no longer viable.

Councillor Margot Jones, a member of Llanidloes Town Council, said people with disabilities and the elderly would lose out. She added: "I am extremely disappointed Nationwide has taken this decision and I can't understand it."

Lembit Opik, Montgomeryshire MP, said he was concerned and a protest at Nationwide's headquarters was planned.

He said he had written to other building societies inviting them to the town.

Steve Cowdry, for Nationwide, said the decision to shut the branch had "not been taken lightly".