A GWENDRAETH Valley bank is set to close its doors after serving the community for over 50 years.

Lloyds Bank in Cross Hands will officially close on Tuesday, July 26.

The news comes after it has been revealed only 18 regular customers are using the Heol Bryngwili branch each week for personal and business use.

One customer, who did not wish to be named, said it is the local people that have forced the bank to close up.

She said: “It is such a shame to hear the bank his closing. I understand there are only a handful of customers using the bank each week. People are doing more and more online banking, but these are the people who will be the first to complain when it closes."

Adding: "It is us, the people, at fault not the bank. If we used it more then it would continue to be part of the community."

In a statement a spokesperson for Lloyds Bank said: "The Cross Hands branch will close on July 26.

“We have made the difficult decision to close this branch because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

“Customers can continue to use any other branch in our network and the nearest alternative branch is at Tumble, 1.65 miles away.

“The local post office is a short distance away where customers can manage their day-to-day banking needs.”

The bank also said they will continue to talk proactively with customers about the services the local post office offer.

They also would like to point out that there is good public transport links to the alternative branch and the nearest free to use ATM is just 0.3 miles away from the banks current site.