CUSTOMERS are concerned that their town may be left with only one bank after it was announced that their TSB was one of 200 branches being investigated for possible closure.

And residents in Rishton say that their town needs "new life" rather than businesses shutting down.

Bank officials said that the Rishton TSB was one of a number being examined to see if it warranted investment.

But a spokesperson added that it was too early to speculate if it was to close. Rumours are rife in the town which will be left with only the Midland Bank if the TSB shuts its doors.

Mrs Lynn Smalley, of Smalley's Newsagents in High Street said: "I think there will be a lot of people very angry if the bank closes.

"It's always very busy and they even installed a cash machine last year." She added: "We bank with the TSB every day and I wouldn't say it would be a catastrophe for us but what are the community going to have left?

"We have a new housing site just being built and a big estate on Station Road and there are a lot of pensioners here. What are they going to do if they can't get to the bank?

"We need to breathe new life into the place rather than close buildings down. Rishton doesn't even have a greengrocer any more."

A spokesman for TSB said: "Rishton TSB is one of a number of branches throughout the country that we are looking at for possible closure but it is far too early to speculate.

"In 1994 we announced that we would be closing up to 200 branches in the next couple of years and we are investigating many branches in our network which do not warrant investment.

"If a decision is taken we always write to our customers."

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