NATWEST has announced that it will be closing its Wiveliscombe branch on November 26 this year.

It means the nearest NatWest will be in Wellington, which is 6.5 miles away.

A spokesperson for the bank said transactions at the town’s branch had dropped by 20% over the last few years.

They added: “The branch is only open for 11 hours a week and only has 35 customers who visit it on a weekly basis.

“When we close a branch, we take a number of factors into account including usage and alternative ways to bank with us in the local area.”

The bank has come to an agreement with the post office in Wiveliscombe, so that customers can withdraw cash and check balances free of charge.

In the coming months, people will also be able to pay money in and businesses will be able to get coinage.

Those with Basic Bank Account ATM restrictions will be able to use other ATMs.

The NatWest spokesperson added: “We’ve advised staff and we’re writing to our customers to make them aware of the closure and the different ways they can still bank with us.

“If customers or local businesses are concerned about how this will impact their banking, they can go into the branch where staff will be happy to discuss the alternative ways to bank with us.”