BANK and cash machine closures could jeopardise tourism in rural towns, with residents and visitors often having to travel miles to withdraw cash on evenings and weekends.

Councillors serving Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside have been inundated with complaints from residents, businesses and tourists, who fear the situation is only going to get worse.

Both towns have lost bank branches in recent years, with the associated ‘hole in the wall’ machines either closing at the same time or facing an uncertain future. This has led to the remaining ATMs regularly running out of cash.

In Helmsley, two of the three bank branches have closed, leaving only Barclays. When Natwest closed, its cash machine remained in place, but there are concerns this will also go when the building is taken over. This would leave the town with two cash machines, one of which is inside and not always accessible.

Councillor Chris Parkin, a Helmsley hotelier and town councillor, said the closures had caused considerable inconvenience, adding: “People are having to travel many miles to such places as Pickering, Thirsk or Malton to obtain cash at night or weekends.”

Cllr Parkin said businesses and charities were also struggling to deposit cash following the closures.

“It is another example of our rural services being diminished,” he said. “Thank goodness for Barclays, which still seems to care about the needs of rural communities.”

In Kirkbymoorside, the closure of HSBC in June left the town without a bank, and pressure on the cash machines at the Co-op and Post Office is growing.

North Yorkshire County County Councillor Val Arnold, who represents Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, said she was anxious to see a re-think on bank closures and removal of cash machines.

“We are seeing long queues at the serving machines at the Co-op supermarket and Kirkbymoorside Post Office, which is only accessible when it’s open,” she said. “I am very concerned because of the impact on our local economy and the big inconvenience to tourists and residents.”

The issue will now be raised with Rydale District Council, MPs Kevin Hollinrake and Robert Goodwill, Welcome to Yorkshire, Community First Yorkshire and Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association.