A TOWN has been left 'disappointed' after it was revealed one of its four remaining banks will close in April.

Barclays announced on Friday that it will be closing its premises in Winter Hey Lane in Horwich due to a fall in customer use.

The bank will shut its doors for the final time on Friday, April 20.

Cllr Kevin McKeon, Horwich Town Council member for Brazley Ward, said: "I am very disappointed to see that it is closing but I am conscious that banks are closing in high streets across the country.

"Although many people use internet banking and phone banking, there are still a considerable number of people who rely on visiting the branch. It will come as a blow to them."

The closure of Barclays leaves just three banks left in the town — TSB in Winter Hey Lane, and RBS and Natwest in Lee Lane.

Cllr Steven Chadwick, town council member for Lever Park Ward, said: "It is a sign of the times as people are doing more of their banking online rather than going into branches.

"It is very concerning losing a branch in the town but with the rise of ATMs and online shopping, branches appear to be in less demand for a lot of people.

"But it is a vital link for other people. There are other banks in Horwich but you have to think, if this one has closed then how long will it be until one of the others close.

"It is disappointing but it is a commercial decision at the end of the day."

In a statement, a spokesman for Barclays said it customers were turning to different methods of banking including online.

The spokesman said: "The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

"At Barclays Horwich branch customer usage has continued to decline and 46 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

"We hope that the availability of our other Barclays branch at 82 Market Street, Westhoughton and access to services at the local post office located at 52 Winter Hey Lane, Horwich, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers."

The nearest Barclays branches are located in Bolton, Westhoughton and Chorley.