A bank has been slammed for using a promotional photo of a town centre it left three years ago.

Lloyds has used a picture of Rochester High Street as a backdrop in an advert with the headline Helping Britain Recover.

But the move has been branded as an "insult" by one ward councillor and "embarrassing" by another.

Lloyds closed its branch in April 2018 leaving customers without a bank or free 24-hour ATM in the popular tourist town.

Responding to the advert, which appeared in a broadsheet newspaper, Cllr Stuart Tranter (Con) said: "We are flattered Lloyds has used Rochester as an example of a thriving town centre, which it is, but no thanks to Lloyds.

"Frankly, it's ironic to put it mildly and an insult. Given that Lloyds was the last bank in the town to leave we were given little notice. It seemed like a done deed."

The decision to shut was announced in November 2017, just months after NatWest closed its doors in the High Street.

The closures sparked concern among traders who used the counter service on a daily basis to cash up and get cash for their tills.

Lloyds bosses looked at how people used facilities, current levels of service and alternative ways of banking.

A statement issued at the time said: "Following a careful review, the Rochester branch will close.

"We have made the difficult decision to close this branch due to customers using it less often.

"In addition, the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank and we have another branch close by."

Meanwhile, fellow councillor Alex Paterson (Lab) tweeted: "Well this is embarrassing, Lloyds Bank.

"If you are not committed enough to our high street to even maintain an ATM after you abandoned the last bank in town, it's a bit rich you now be using us to promote a "recovery" you're going to play precisely no part in here Rochester West."

The nearest Lloyds and NatWest banks are in Strood.

Lloyds has been approached for a comment.

Meanwhile a long-running campaign for a free 24-hour cash machine in the High Street has got the go-ahead. It will be at the Visitor Information Centre.

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