A banking hub has been announced for Royal Wootton Bassett to help fill gaps in people’s access to cash.

It comes just after the announcement that a Lloyds Banking branch will be closing in the town, which sparked concerns from local MP James Gray.

He felt that the closure would leave vulnerable and elderly people without in-person access to vital banking services- with the nearest alternative Lloyds branch nearly six miles away in Swindon.

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.”

READ MORE: MP makes 'strongest possible argument' that town needs new banking hub

The post office pledged to create 13 banking hubs which they believe will soften the blow of banks disappearing off the high street.

The hubs operate in a similar way to bank branches, but their services are shared, with banks providing staff on rotation so that trained specialists from different banks are available on different days.

Banking hubs operate in a similar way to bank branches, but their services are shared, with banks providing staff on rotation so that trained specialists from different banks are available on different days.

The new hubs will be also be in locations including Brechin in Angus, Forres in Moray, Carluke in Lanarkshire, Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, Axminster in Devon, Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire, Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, Cheadle in Staffordshire, Belper in Derbyshire, Maryport in Cumbria and Hornsea in Yorkshire.

John Batchler, chair of the Cambuslang Community Council, said: “The banking hub is the centre of our community and it’s bringing life back to the high street and crucially helping people and businesses with their everyday banking needs.

“It gets busier and busier every week and we know it will make a significant difference in other communities across the UK.”

The first banking hubs were piloted last year in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire and Rochford in Essex.

The two hubs have already had approaching 60,000 customer visits and transactions worth £16 million have taken place since they opened.

As the impact of the cost-of-living crisis becomes increasingly apparent, the hubs are set to make a particular difference to communities with minimal or limited cash access or banking facilities, those behind the initiative said.