A nationwide bank is shutting one of its Kent branches.

TSB has announced it will close its Sheerness High Street branch as part of larger nationwide closures.

It will shut in September alongside 27 other banks across the UK, with another nine shutting in May next year – a total of 36 closures.

It leaves just Nationwide, Bank House and Barclays Local in the town centre.

This comes after Halifax, Barclays and Natwest shut their branches.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Ind) who represents Sheppey on Kent County Council has urged the banking giant to reconsider the closure.

In an open letter to TSB he said: “I cannot say I am not disappointed by this news.

“It comes on top of the recent closure of other banks in the town, and two local post office branches on the Isle of Sheppey.

“The cumulative effect of these closures, compounded by your decision, will have serious consequences for many here on the Isle of Sheppey.

“Organisations underestimate this when making these decisions. It has been a serious mistake not to consult the public about this closure. Coming out of the blue, the news will come as a shock to many.

“I urge you to reconsider this decision.”

The banking giant announced the move on Wednesday, May 8 which it says will provide a better balance of digital and face-to-face services.

It is not set to shut either its Chatham High Street or Bluewater shopping centre branches.

It said its customers were now doing most of their banking digitally.

The latest round of closures will leave the group with 175 branches across the country, as well as other face-to-face banking services.