AN MP has failed in his last-ditch bid to stop a bank closure ion his constituency's main town.

Ribble Valley Conservative backbencher Nigel Evans last week met with Santander bosses to ask him to reconsider their decision to shut its branch in Clitheroe.

The closure was one of three in East Lancashire announced last month as part of 140 across the UK.

The other two are Briercliffe Road, Burnley, and Ramsbottom.

But the ban officials told the MP that the planned closure of Clitheroe on April 25 would be going ahead, leaving customers having to travel 11 miles to their nearest Santander branch,.

Mr Evans is particularly concerned at the decision as several other bank branches in the Ribble Valley, including Barclays in Whalley to Natwest in Bamber Bridge, have close in recent years.

Mr Evans said: “Rural banks are at the very heart of their communities, the Ribble Valley has seen more than its fair share of branches close over the last three years leaving many customers having to travel to Blackburn or Burnley to do their banking.

"I appreciate that banking transactions are increasingly online, but some services are still exclusively in-branch.”

“I am disappointed that the closure will be going ahead, and will continue to voice my opposition to all closures of rural branches.

" I strongly encourage all those affected to head to their local Post Office for everyday banking needs such as; cash withdrawals and deposits, balance enquiries and cheque deposits.

"Whilst this is far from ideal, the most common transactions can still be done face-to-face. I hope to see an expansion of the banking services available in Post Offices in the near future.”

Everyday transactions from most UK banks can be carried out at any Post Office.