A ‘SHARP decline’ in the use of a Middlewich bank is being blamed for its closure.

NatWest in Hightown will shut its doors on Monday, June 24, but there are no plans for any job losses.

The Holmes Chapel branch is also set to set to close on June 25.

Staff work flexibly between branches but the decision affects around 10 employees and hundreds of customers.

A spokesman for NatWest said: "We have taken the difficult decision to close our Holmes Chapel and Middlewich branches due to a sharp decline in their use.

“We have advised staff and are helping our customers to make alternative arrangements.

“We have a number of alternative branches in the area and a range of other options that our customers can use to access their accounts.

“These include our NatWest mobile phone applications, online and telephone banking services and the use of any Post Office to pay bills, withdraw cash and check balances."

Frances Cowper works nearby in the Accord Clinic and uses the branch once a week.

“We need to fight this,” she said.

“They say use online banking but there’s a big older population who don’t use computers.

“We do need our local bank - they’re the mainstay of the community. You need that face-to-face contact. It’s reassuring.”

Clr Keith Bagnall, of Middlewich Town Council, added: “I think it’s outrageous. Natwest calls itself the helpful bank but how helpful is it if it moves out of town?

“That coupled with Tesco walking away from its superstore plans and we’re left with a degrading town centre.”