A TOWN centre bank is closing its doors for good due to a drop in customer numbers.

HSBC has announced it is shutting its branch in London Road, Hadleigh, following in the footsteps of Natwest, which left the town in 2014.

Customers have been told their nearest branches are now in Leigh and Rayleigh- both around three miles away.

Norman Ladzrie, Tory councillor for Castle Point's St James’ ward, said the journey will be difficult for many elderly customers.

He said: "It seems a bit much for people to have to get a bus to get their own money out of the bank. You know what parking is like in Leigh.

“I’m very disappointed. It’s a prime spot in Hadleigh so hopefully it’ll be snapped up.”

HSBC has put the decision down to the growing popularity of online banking.

David Hurrell, 60, of Willow Walk, Hadleigh, who has been a customer at the bank for more than 40 years, said: "I'm really disappointed that some of our high street banks continue to put mega profits before customer service. It's about time they stopped calling themselves High Street banks."

Alf Papworth, 83, of Ashdown Crescent, Hadleigh, who is chairman of Hadleigh Residents Association, said: “I think it’s a very sad thing. We have already lost a bank up here.

“It always seemed busy to me. I think people will be upset if it’s their bank, where are they going to go? It will be very inconvenient for them.”

Natwest closed after 92 years in the town, later being transformed into a Costa Coffee.

Lloyds, Barclays and Santander still remain in Hadleigh.

Tory councillor for Victoria ward, Simon Hart, said “It’s the way things are going. The banks are moving away from branches which is a shame as not everyone has internet banking or access to a computer and we are an ageing population, but we can’t do anything about it. It people aren’t using it, they will shut it down."

HSBC told the Echo there will be no job losses as staff will be relocated to other branches.

A spokesman said: “We never take the decision to close a branch lightly, and we understand it's unsettling for the local community. Unfortunately, with an increase in the use of online and telephone banking over the past few years use of the Hadleigh branch has fallen significantly, and we've taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We have notified customers of the closure and will be working with those who use the branch to help them understand their options, which include being able to use the nearby post office and all other post offices for their day-to-day banking."