A BANK in Malmesbury closed down on Friday.

Barclays say they decided to close their Malmesbury branch as transactions had been declining over the past two years.

They say 84 per cent of customers bank online or by phone.

In the past year, 39 per cent of customers in Malmesbury had been using neighbouring branches.

And they only identified 110 customers who used the branch exclusively for their banking.

It's not the only bank Barclays is closing in the area, with the Lechlade branch set to close tomorrow (Friday, July 5).

The banking giant gave similar reasons for the closure of the Lechlade branch.

Barclays say 84 per cent of customers in the town use others ways to do their banking such as online and by phone.

In the past year, 27 per cent of customers in Lechlade had been using neighbouring branches.

And they only identified 58 customers who used the branch exclusively for their banking.

Barclays say before making a decision on the closure of a branch, they consider how many customers use their banks, what transactions they make and all the the other ways people have been choosing to bank with them.

They also take consideration into the availability of other branches nearby.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: "If you have any questions and concerns about these changes then please feel free to get in touch with Mark Hatcliffe, your community banking director for Bristol Somerset and Wiltshire at mark.hatcliffe@barclays.com."

The nearest branches after the closures for customers will be in Cirencester, west Swindon and Chippenham.