East Hampshire’s MP has launched a new survey to gather views on the future of banking services across his constituency.

The move by Damian Hinds MP follows the January closure of Lloyds in Petersfield and the disappearance of many High Street banks in Alton.

There are concerns the move away from traditional banking is hurting the elderly, vulnerable, digitally excluded and those dealing with more complex matters such as fraud, mortgages or business banking.

Communities are deemed to have “sufficient banking provision” if they’ve got access to cash through a Post Office or ATM, even where there is minimal or no access to face-to-face support or advice.

Mr Hinds has called the current system “unnecessarily confusing” and wants clearer and more consistent arrangements across the board as the services offered at Post Offices differ.

He said: “It’s positive people can use the Post Office for everyday banking, but many customers still aren’t clear about exactly what services are available to them.

“Different banks have different rules for what their customers can do at the Post Office on withdrawals, deposits and cheque payments, leaving customers uncertain about what they can and cannot do.

“It also makes it more complex to advertise Post Office banking services.”

Banking hubs have emerged as a solution with the county’s first recently opening in Bordon following a campaign by Mr Hinds, who was the town’s MP before boundaries were redrawn.

But their approval is dependent on recommendations from LINK, which assesses communities largely on access-to-cash criteria.

Mr Hinds added: “Neither Petersfield nor Alton currently qualifies for a banking hub, despite both being sizeable market towns with many personal and business customers.

“I would encourage everyone to complete my survey at www.damianhinds.com/campaigns so I can better understand how changes to local banking services are affecting people across East Hampshire.”