A bank is ignoring its duty to loyal customers, a public meeting in Welshpool was told.

Following the announcement that the Natwest branch on Broad Street in the town is due to close, AM Russell George organised a public meeting for residents to air their views.

No one attending supported the closure and Mr George said he invited the bank to attend the meeting, but they had declined.

Mr George is now set to meet with the bank’s officials on April 18 and was pleased with the positive response from residents.

He said: “It was well attended, and good to get the views from people.

“We had county and town councillors there, candidates for the elections and Glyn Davies MP was there, so it was a positive turn-out.

“From experience when banks have plans to close branches, they go through with it.

“But we have two options, to do nothing, or to express our ideas and come up with alternative options, and that is what the meeting was about.

“And then hopefully the bank may bring forward other things that will help.”

During the meeting, views were expressed that mobile and internet banking was not as secure and many people were not prepared to use those methods.

People also said the bank owed a duty of loyalty to its many longstanding customers, which it was ignoring.

They also said it was disappointing that the bank declined to attend the meeting and hear the residents’ views.

Further closures in Machynlleth and Builth Wells were announced last month and a public meeting is set to take place in Machynlleth.