HUNDREDS of bank customers will be forced to travel to Prestwich after it was announced that a Radcliffe town centre branch will be shutting down.

Barclays began writing to customers last week to inform them that the branch in Blackburn Street is due to close on Friday, September 30.

The Radcliffe Times has previously reported that the branch had regularly been a target for cash machine scams, but bank officials said this was not a factor in their decision.

A spokesman said that the number of customers had declined significantly since 2008 and that they hope to relocate all of the branch's staff to other nearby locations.

The closest branch for Radcliffe-based customers will now be in Bury New Road, Prestwich, though they will also be able to carry out everyday transactions at the Post Office in West Street, Radcliffe.

A Barclays spokesman said: "The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices. We must therefore evolve the shape and size of our branch network in response to changing customer behaviour.

"Customer usage at Radcliffe branch has significantly declined in recent years, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch on Friday, September 30.

"Following closure the nearest physical branch will be in Prestwich, open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Alternatively, everyday transactions, typically carried out over branch counters can also be completed at the nearby Post Office located next door to the branch.

"We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly and we are committed to adhering to the new UK Government protocol on branch closures.

"All of our customers will receive a letter, posters will be displayed in branch and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

"We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes on September 30."

Since last summer, police have reported a series of scamming devices discovered at ATMs outside the branch, which had new, tamper-proof cash machines installed earlier this year.