A HAMPSHIRE bank has closed after its ceiling collapsed – and bosses say they are unable to guarantee the facility will reopen.

The Totton branch of NatWest has been shrouded in scaffolding since the roof was damaged in an incident thought to have been caused by torrential rain.

No-one was hurt but the bank has shut and customers are being advised to use the Shirley branch.

Michael King, 80, of Totton, complained that his trip to Southampton and back involved a total of four bus journeys, resulting in a two-hour round trip.

He said: “To get to Shirley I had to take one bus and then switch to another one.

“There was a queue in the bank and when it was my turn to be served I asked about the Totton branch, only to be told that the staff couldn’t discuss the situation.

“I’m not into online banking and I’m worried sick it’s closed for good.”

Writing on social media Sarah Oliver added: “Does anyone know the situation with NatWest bank? My mum is anti-Internet and is struggling with no branch.”

Other customers complained that the cost of driving to Southampton and paying for parking would “eat into” the cheques they had to pay in.

A NatWest spokesman said he was unable to give a 100 per cent guarantee that the branch would reopen once the building had been repaired.

He said: “NatWest Totton is currently closed as a result of damage to the roof. We are conducting a full review of the damage to the branch and it will unfortunately remain closed until further notice.

“We would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.

“As an alternative customers can visit our branch in Shirley, which is two miles away. We also have a national agreement with the Post Office in Totton to provide our customers with a range of banking services.”

Campaigners fear a lengthy closure would result in customers making alternative arrangements, reducing the chances of the bank re-opening and staying open.

Totton councillor David Harrison said: “Let’s hope the roof is repaired soon and people use it.”

Any decision to shut the branch permanently would be another blow to banking customers in Totton and other parts of the New Forest.

Earlier this year NatWest approved plans to axe five branches across Hampshire, including the ones in Hythe and New Milton.

The Totton branch of HSBC, just yards from the NatWest building, has already shut.