TSB BANK has announced it is to close its Skipton branch in May next year.

It says there has been a 10 per cent fall in the number of people who use the branch, in Caroline Square, over the last three years, with just around 24 customers still using it on a regular basis.

In addition, 85 per cent of its Skipton customers use other branches, use their mobile telephones or go online to do their banking needs.

The bank says it will be writing to its customers and they will be able to continue to use other TSB branches, Keighley is currently the nearest, or the post office, in Swadford Street.

TSB recently announced a three year strategic plan, involving the reshaping of its business model to enable it to become a more ‘ technology-enabled and innovative business.’

The strategic review included how the bank intends to simplify the way it interacts with customers through its branch network, and the closure of 10 branches in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Robin Bulloch, customer banking director at TSB, said:“We have made the difficult decision to close some of our quieter branches and will fully support customers through this transition.

“We realise this is difficult news for our branch partners and will do everything to support those affected to redeploy as many people as we can to other roles and keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.”