HSBC have announced more closures of their branches in Thanet.

The revelation comes after residents in Birchington learnt last month they were to be left without a bank.

The HSBC branches in Broadstairs High Street and Cliftonville’s Northdown Road will finish trading on Friday, May 27 at 3pm.

Customers currently banking at these two branches will be transferred to the Westwood Cross branch.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay (Con) said: “While, I remain hugely disappointed about this decision, especially given my private campaign, I am pleased that my pleas for pre-paid envelopes and no compulsory redundancies have been heard.

“I accept the business of banking is changing but I had hoped that HSBC might reconsider this decision.

“Any customers who have concerns or complaints can contact my office who’ll raise their comments with HSBC’s senior management directly.”

Last Tuesday, the bank’s plans were discussed at length between Mr Mackinlay and Adrian Keane-Munday, deputy director of HSBC for the southern region in advance of the official announcement.

"I remain hugely disappointed about this decision..." South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay

Mr Mackinlay said he pressed the bank to consider the potential damage to communities before finalising their decision as well as pushing the bank to secure the futures of the staff in the branches.

He also asked them to guarantee postal services for affected customers who do not have computer access.

HSBC has since confirmed in a letter to Mr Mackinlay that no staff would face compulsory redundancy as a consequence of this decision.

The bank also offered to provide freepost envelopes to affected customers to allow them to continue to cash cheques close to their home.

HSBC says that many over-the-counter services can accessed at post office branches.

The concerns of customers who raise their complaints and concerns with Mr Mackinlay’s office will be addressed directly by HSBC’s senior management.