A CAMPAIGN which hopes to retain a major bank on Carterton's high street has gained hundreds of supporters.

A recent announcement that Lloyds would close its Burford Road branch in September caused uproar in the community, with councillors and residents joining forces to persuade the bank to reverse its decision.

West Oxfordshire's second biggest town is also due to lose its HSBC next month, meaning only Barclays, which opens just three days a week, will remain.

District councillor for Carterton Maxine Crossland, a resident of Burford Road and Lloyds customer herself, is behind the campaign to save the branch.

She said: "It's the accumulative effect of both the banks closing that worried me, particularly with regard to older people.

"You meet a lot of older residents who just don't feel comfortable with online banking and a great many of them will find it really difficult when Lloyds goes.

"I know one lady who was in tears because she goes to Lloyds to collect her pension and she can't get into Witney to collect it."

She said she also had concerns about people of all ages who weren't comfortable using technology or who simply don't trust online banking.

Mrs Crossland, whose petition urging Lloyds to stay in the town has been signed by several hundred residents, is aiming to persuade the bank's bosses to remain in the town for two years to see if the loss of HSBC improves its customer numbers.

In a report the bank said: "We have made the difficult decision to close this branch because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

"The nearest alternative branch is the Witney branch. Additionally, one of our new Lloyds mobile branches will visit the Carterton area which customers can use for many of their everyday banking needs."

It is not yet clear how many staff will be affected.

Statistics in the report show that 427 customers use the branch on a regular monthly basis, while 26 use it on a regular weekly basis.

It says counters at the branch are 10 per cent quieter than last year.

Copies of the petition are available to sign in the town hall, the library and St John's Church.