The Lloyds banking group, bailed out with taxpayers' money during the recent crisis is letting down a  large group of customers in Fareham.

The bank's Halifax agency, in the Dibben and Dibben estate agent's office in Stubbington, is to be closed at the end of September.

The nearest branches for Stubbington customers will now be in Westbury Mall, Fareham. or in High Street, Gosport.

A motion proposed by Stubbington Liberal Democrat councillor JIm Forrest urging Fareham Council to try to persuade the bank to maintain a service to these customers was unanimously agreed. The Lloyds Group will be asked to incorporate Halifax customers into its Lloyds branch in Stubbington Green, and to open that branch on Saturday mornings to help those who can't get to a bank in weekday working hours.

>>> Local resident Mrs Barbara Clarke has organised a petition to oppose the closure. You can sign it at these locations in Stubbington Green:

Dental surgery, Betting office, chip shop, snooker hall or at the Crofton Club in Titchfield Road