A COUNCIL is to be asked to write to a Cabinet minister about the loss of banking services in small towns.

Labour councillors for Netherton ward in Hyndburn are alarmed at the closure of branches in Great Harwood, Clayton and Rishton its impact on elderly residents.

They are concerned the Post Office is considering shutting 600 free-to-use cash machines.

They have proposed a motion to Thursday's Full Hyndburn Council meeting asking it to write to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick asking him ' how the government will address the issue of residents not being able to access banking services without travelling to a different town'.

Cllr Aziz said “Over the years the small townships of the borough have lost a number of banks from the high street and now residents are struggling to access their accounts at the Post Office. It’s important we bring this to attention of government "

Cllr Parkinson said “The biggest challenge to elderly residents is the ability to access banking in our small towns."