GREENOCK'S Bank of Scotland on West Blackhall Street is set to receive an influx of new customers after bosses decided to close their only branch in Dunoon.

More than a third of the adult population in the Argyll town, who signed a petition against the closure, have been left with Greenock as the nearest location to carry out in-person banking.

One Dunoon shop owner, Dinah MacDonald, said: "The bank refused to take into account the effect an unreliable ferry has on the ability of the elderly and otherwise vulnerable to reach the next branch in Greenock.

"Many of the stories we hear are of folk feeling this is the last straw when it comes to the loss of vital services in the area.

"The bank claims it is underused yet on many days the queue stretches out of the door and there is always a queue before the bank opens each morning."

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O'Hara helped deliver the 1,700-signature petition to bank staff last Friday.

Mr O'Hara said: “The Bank of Scotland’s decision to close this branch is absolutely indefensible. This is corporate greed at its worst.

“You can see the strength of opposition there is to this in the community.

"I will continue to press in Parliament for a change in this ridiculous decimation of our banking services in Argyll and Bute.”

The Dunoon branch of the bank will close its doors for the last time tomorrow.

Shopkeeper Ms MacDonald said: "Many have written, phoned and emailed the bank and all have received the same standard letter back. All the signatures are from folk who have very real concerns about the loss.

"The petition has been signed by our MP and MSP, both of whom have written to the bank and local councillors have written a cross-party joint letter. 

"Many have written to the financial services ombudsman - all to no avail. We are told that our complaint is not valid."