After the news Lloyds Bank is closing its branch in Royal Wootton Bassett, the MP for North Wiltshire has been lobbying the post office to take action.

The bank is set to close in December due to most of its customers using alternative services.

But MP James Gray is not happy.

He said: “I am concerned that the closure of the branch will leave vulnerable and elderly people without in-person access to vital banking services and I would note that the nearest alternative Lloyds branch to Royal Wootton Bassett will be in Swindon – nearly six miles away”.

In a letter to the post office asking them to consider establishing a banking hub in Royal Wootton Bassett, Mr Gray added: “I would advance the strongest possible argument that Royal Wootton Bassett – a Wiltshire market town of 10,000 people with a vibrant High Street – would be in huge need of such a hub”.

His idea would be to preserve basic in-person banking services at one location.

He has also has offered his help to make this Banking Hub a reality in Royal Wootton Bassett, and wants it to be jointly run by the post office and trained staff from major banks.