Campaigners have called for government intervention over a decision to shut two bank branches in the island.

RBS International announced Isle of Man Bank branches in Castletown and Peel will shut on January 7 next year - a move labelled as ’disgusting’ by protesters.

More than a hundred attended a demonstration in the south of the island on Friday, with a petition signed by 450 people handed to staff in the Castletown branch.

The protest was organised by former chairman of Castletown Commissioners Alwyn Collister and former Chief Minister Tony Brown.

A similar protest was held outside the Isle of Man Bank branch on Atholl Street in Peel in Saturday.

Mr Brown, who was the island’s most senior politician between 2006 and 2011, criticised the government for ’doing nothing’ over the closure of the two branches.

He is helping to spearhead a campaign which aims to see the decision reversed.

Mr Brown said: ’We are a nation of small communities.

’I think this decision is premature. It is going to deprive an age group, 70s plus, who don’t do internet banking and I would suggest about 90% of them don’t.

’The regulator in the island is doing nothing, the government is doing nothing, Tynwald is doing nothing.

’Peel is going to have next to nothing for banking. Castletown has at least still got Barclays but the trouble is the domino effect - you don’t know when they will go.

’Unless the government has a firm policy and invests in the infrastructure and the regions then these banks will all close.’

Mr Collister said: ’I’m absolutely disgusted by what is proposed by Isle of Man Bank.

’I really think it is proposed because the value of the building is very high. It is not utilised.’

Isle of Man Bank, a division of RBS International based in Jersey, says the branches are closing as it switches its focus to digital banking and more online transactions.

Home Affairs Minister Graham Cregeen believes the campaign opposing the bank closures facing an uphill battle.

But Mr Cregeen feels it will be difficult to get those in charge to reverse their decision.

’Much as you hold out a bit of hope that they will change their mind, they were quite clear when we spoke to them that a decision had been made which is really disappointing.’

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man Bank branch on Regent Street, Douglas, has become self-service only.

The nearest alternative branch to Castletown is in Port Erin which is only open on Wednesdays and Thursdays - while the nearest branch to Peel is Athol Street, Douglas.

Explaining the changes to its branch network, the bank said: ’In recent years more of our customers have opted to bank with us using our mobile app, online banking and telephone banking services.

’Customers now visit our branches less often and, in some cases, never at all.

’We’re committed to keeping branches as part of our service offering but it’s now necessary to reduce our branch network for commercial reasons.’

It added: ’We will continue to review how we use our branches based on the needs and behaviour of customers.’

Penny, the mobile branch, remains out of service but the bank said this is being regularly reviewed.