FOLLOWING an after-dinner chat I was surprised that our friend has no banking facilities in Hythe.

I believe they have a mobile bank that parks in the local carpark weekly, leaving its customers to stand outside in all weathers.

The other choice given to them is to drive or catch a bus into Totton.

Of course they are not the only people without any banking facilities as many have to travel further than the six miles into Totton.

The banks want everybody to use online banking. Unfortunately many people do not have that facility or want it, others course can't afford the cost.

Also many banking customers who would like to be able to use online banking unfortunately can't as they have extremely poor reception or none at all.

With online banking you certainly can do many things but unfortunately I can't get my computer to accept money. Of course this is a minor setback as we have been told that you can use the local post office to pay money in. The problem is that in many areas they to have long gone. I read recently in many areas they are removing cash machines as they are not used enough – is this the plan, to create a cashless society by the banks and the government?

I am lucky I have a local bank but I was not amused when I went in to put some loose money that I had saved up towards a possible holiday into my account. Although it was already bagged up, the cashier explained to me that the bank would only accept a maximum of 10 bags a visit, so I would have to return another day with the remainder. To get the loose money out of my piggy bank I had to put an hole in him. Sadly, now piggy will remain on the mantelpiece covered in sticky plasters never to be used again to save my loose change.

It's time the government insisted that there was local banking facilities for everyone.

A Semple

Southampton