VULNERABLE and elderly people could miss out after a decision to reduce the opening hours of the only bank on Portland, it is feared.

Residents on Portland have hit out against a decision to reduce opening hours at Lloyds Bank in Easton.

From June 1, the branch will only be open three days a week.

It will be closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and at the weekends.

Residents had a letter last month informing them of the decision.

The letter suggests they could use the bank’s Weymouth branch on the closed days.

Rev Christopher Briggs, from the Portland Methodist Circuit, has made a complaint against the bank.

He said: “I am pleased that Lloyds has stayed on the island when other banks have left but disappointed that they have not consulted in any visible way with the community over its needs.

“This will undoubtedly be another difficulty for the vulnerable and elderly people who will have to find other banking facilities.

“Profits are not always more important than people."

Mayor of Portland, Cllr Rob Hughes, said he was against the bank’s decision.

He said: “I’m a user of Lloyds Bank and I’m disgusted.

“That’s the only bank on this island. I still like to go to the bank and see somebody. I would rather go up to a person than use a machine."

Cllr Hughes suggested the bank was still used by a number of customers on Wednesdays, including Portland Town Council.

Weymouth resident Michel Hooper-Immins said he often used the branch whenever on Portland.

He said: "As an almost 50 year customer of Lloyds Bank, I am sorry to see this reduction in service from the only bank still on Portland. I often use the branch while I'm on Portland and the staff are always very helpful."

The decision to change the branch’s opening hours has come after analysis was conducted on how and when customers used the bank’s branches.

A spokesman for Lloyds Bank said: “We are making changes to the opening hours in our Portland branch and from June 1 it will open between 10am and 4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

“These changes have been made to more closely reflect the usage of the branch and the needs of our customers in the area.”