A RURAL village’s last remaining bank will close later this year.

Barclays’ Whalley branch, on King Street, has been marked for closure by the bank and will shut in four months’ time on Friday, May 4.

The bank said customers were increasingly using ‘alternative’ ways to do their everyday banking as people use online, telephone and mobile devices.

Barclays customers in Whalley will now have to complete all their banking transactions using the Barclays mobile app, through online banking, speaking to a member of staff on telephone banking or travelling to an alternative branch.

When the bank closes, the nearest Barclays branch will be four miles away on Castle Street in Clitheroe.

Residents will still have access to the local post office located at 98 King Street, Whalley, along with a range of digital channels to help ‘ease’ the transition for customers, a Barclays spokesman said.

A Barclays spokesman said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At Barclays’ Whalley branch, 71 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative nearby branches.

“Taking this into consideration along with the alternative ways to bank that are available in the area, we have made the difficult decision to close it.”

Andrew Wallin, 30, who lives on Sarmatian Fold in Ribchester and has used the Whalley branch for more than 10 years, said: “It’s unacceptable and very sad.

“It’s a nice branch and you get to speak to someone face to face rather than push a few buttons on a cash machine.

“You get to know the people that work there which is a nice personal touch.They are a part of the local community.”

Cllr Joyce Holgate, who represents the area, said: “I’m disappointed that the bank is closing because it’s moving out of the village and it is the last one left.

“It’s a busy bank and well used by people.”

“The only people that suffer are the elderly who do not have the means to get to Clitheroe.”

Cllr Terry Hill, who also represents the area, said: “I have heard they are relocating the staff which is good and no redundancies for the workers.

“People will have to travel to the Clitheroe branch which is an inconvenience.

“The only saving grace is we have cash points and services at the post office still.”