STAFF at Durrington's three schools have spoken of their disgust at the lack of consultation over the closure of the only village bank.

HSBC on Bulford Road, which is due to close at the end of June, gave notice of the branch closure during the Easter break.

But rather than call the schools in advance, or send a letter, a poster was put in the window and customers were handed a leaflet while in the branch.

Mary Morgan, school administrator at the infant school, said: "There was no consultation and no approach to any businesses - I think it's disgusting.

"We've banked with them for 15 years, so I should have thought we should have been informed."

Durrington Junior and Upper Avon schools also said they felt let down by the lack of notification.

Beverley Jefferies, administration assistant at the junior school, said: "All I was given was a leaflet when they passed back my paying-in book.

"I mean, even if it had been a standard letter, rather than just a leaflet - I wasn't expecting it to be anything like that.

"It makes you feel like a second-class citizen."

She added: "It now means that I am going to have to find my way to Amesbury to bank, and that's going to be very inconvenient."

It is not only schools affected by the closure - residents are also concerned, and in response Durrington parish council has organised a petition.

Mary Towle, parish clerk, said: "We decided to organise it because there is great public opinion that we don't want the branch to shut.

"The elderly, especially, rely on it for their banking needs.

"HSBC says it's no longer a viable branch but you can't just think in terms of money when you've got a lot of elderly people who rely on the bank."

A spokesperson for HSBC said the Durrington branch did not have enough customers to justify keeping it open.

Charlie Brett said: "At the end of the day, we are just like any other business - if you aren't getting the customers coming through the door, you have little choice but to close."

He added: "We have been trying to take our customers aside and give them some warning but it's not easy to take everyone aside and tell them personally.

"The branch manager has also been speaking to customers and is happy to speak to anyone on an individual basis if they have any concerns."