I CAN sympathise with the residents of Milford-on-Sea, having their sole bank branch taken away by HSBC, the world’s biggest bank. We had the same situation about two years ago in Boscombe, although luckily we have branches of the other major banks very close. However it was a nuisance to say the least – my new bank said they would arrange the transfer, direct debits etc, but HSBC closed the account and I was unable to access my current account funds for about two weeks.

An interview took about three-quarters of an hour with the new branch. It felt like applying for a job and finally the computer said ‘yes’ to the application.

Our local councillor did start a protest campaign against the closure, but we knew HSBC were never going to listen. As in your case, in Milford, the bank said more and more people do their transactions online.

Many people do their shopping online, but supermarkets do not close down here, there and everywhere, but instead open new branches, so that argument falls down.

I wish the best of luck to you in Milford, but do not hold your breath. These £6m bonuses have to be paid for from somewhere.

DAVIS LOVETT, Campbell Road, Bournemouth