Bank's opening bid sparks anger

Dozens of campaigners in Mid Wales have pledged to do all they can to stop a bank's move to cut its opening hours in three towns.

NatWest has decided to restrict the opening hours of its Llanfair Caereinion, Montgomery and Llanidloes branches.

From June 21 the bank will only open between 10am and 2pm in Llanfair Caereinion on a Tuesday and Friday, Montgomery on a Wednesday and Llanidloes on a Monday and Thursday. The bank says a drop in customers at the branches is the reason for the cutbacks, but stresses local needs have been taken into account.

But the decision has angered organisations in the towns. Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire who lives in Llanfair Caereinion, said: "It is disgusting that, af-ter taking such huge sums of public money from the taxpayer, many banks are failing to provide essential services for local people. I will be forming an action group and intend to launch a petition very, very soon."

Angry Clive Hopwood, a resident and businessman in Llanfair Caereinion, said: "It's all very well if you have the internet, but many local residents do not. If the proposed changes go ahead, I'll be moving banks."

A spokeswoman for NatWest said the decision had not been taken lightly.