LYMM'S last bank will close in July in a 'landmark change' which has been labelled as 'very regrettable'.

Lloyds Bank at The Cross has confirmed staff will be closing the doors at the branch for the final time on July 4.

A spokesman said: "The branch will close on July 4 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch, which is Horsemarket Street, Warrington."

Cllr Bob Barr (LD – Lymm North and Thelwall) has responded to the announcement.

He said: "The loss of the last bank in Lymm, on top of the loss of the village centre Post Office, is very regrettable.

"While I do not believe this threatens the viability of the village as a business location, it is a landmark change and leaves two purpose-built banking premises vacant and difficult to fill.

"Those most at risk from the change are the elderly and those who find travel into Warrington or Altrincham difficult.

"While the business logic for the closure is understandable, businesses have a responsibility to the communities they serve. Core businesses such as banks and the Post Office need to be regulated to ensure that they provide an independently assessed universal service, which is accessible by the most vulnerable and by those living in large villages and small towns.

"Clearly the era of genuine corporate social responsibility and accountability to the community is dying."

Customers will have their accounts realigned to the Horsemarket Street site.

The bank said there will be 'no other impact' to the way they manage their accounts.

It added the Lymm site has just 18 'regular weekly personal and business customers' and that 63 per cent of its personal customers 'already use' other branches.

According to a recent study, the average Briton estimates it’s been one year and 10 months since they last stepped into a bank branch for any reason.