FURTHER bank branch closures have been announced for Otley and Yeadon.

Santander has confirmed that it is closing 140 branches ‘in response to changes in how customers are choosing to carry out their banking’.

Among the offices affected will be those on High Street, Yeadon - which is due to close on July 25 - and Kirkgate, Otley, which will shut on May 16.

The bank’s Skipton High Street branch is also to close, on July 18.

The shake-up will reduce the Spanish-owned company’s UK branch network by nearly a fifth, putting 1,270 jobs at risk.

Santander says its branch transactions have dropped by 23 per cent over the past three years, while digital transactions have grown by 99 per cent.

Local politicians, however, were angered by the announcement.

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) said: “I am very concerned.

“Whilst I understand that branches are less frequently used, they are still depended upon greatly by local businesses as well as for people who prefer to do their banking face to face. Often these are elderly or vulnerable customers.

“Bank branches are a vital part of a thriving high street and I worry for our communities when we see branches closing at such a rate.

“Otley and Yeadon benefit economically from people and businesses coming from all over Wharfedale and Aireborough to use the branches. There is an environmental cost, too, as potential customers will be forced to travel further afield.

“I will be seeking a meeting with Santander for as soon as possible to seek assurances about the future for staff and customers.”

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “This is yet more bad news for the residents of Otley and Yeadon, and those that use our banks.

“The slow decline of banking started by HSBC has turned into a rush with the latest being Santander.

“We will hear the same old tale about declining use of money and cheques and the ability of customers to use the Post Office.

“We really do need to start to think how we going to support those, mostly older, residents who can’t or won’t use online facilities and who want to continue to use cash and cheques.

“The time has come for a government review of banking that looks particularly at how banks have a social responsibility to provide services in rural and semi-rural communities.”

Yeadon has in recent years lost its branches of Nat West, Yorkshire Bank and Yorkshire Building Society while Otley has lost four bank branches - Barclays, NatWest, TSB and HSBC - in four years.

Otley Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: “When is this going to end? The banks continue their relentless determination to abandon a significant element of their customer base that do not want to use online banking and prefer a personal service.

“They relinquish their vital position on Britain’s high streets as service providers to local commerce for cash banking.

“I hope those remaining in Otley can reassure us that they remain committed to our town.”

Santander’s Head of Retail and Business Banking, Susan Allen, said: “The way our customers are choosing to bank with us has changed dramatically, with more and more customers using online and mobile channels.

“As a result, we have had to take some very difficult decisions over our less visited branches, and those where we have other branches in close proximity.

“We will support customers of closing branches to find alternative ways to bank with us that best suit their individual needs. We are also working alongside our unions to support colleagues through these changes and to find alternative roles for those impacted wherever possible.

“We continue to believe that branches have a vital role to play and we will be refurbishing 100 over the next two years.”