A FRESH round of job cuts and branch closures in the banking sector drew an angry response last night.

In the wake of Tuesday's news that Abbey would cut a further 1,000 posts, Lloyds TSB announced almost 500 jobs would go - including 35 in Stockton - as it closed five back-office operations across the UK.

But it promised its Sunderland call centre operations would remain secure, despite cutting almost 1,000 jobs in Newcastle last year.

Last night, the Australian owner of two historic regional banks, Yorkshire and Clydesdale, said it would close 100 branches in the UK.

Workers at more than 30 Yorkshire Banks in the North-East and North Yorkshire faced an anxious wait as National Australia Bank (NAB) announced the first phase of closures yesterday.

It announced its branch in Barnard Castle, County Durham, would close, along with 21 others across the UK.

A spokesman said further closure announcements would be staggered, although most would be in the North of England, leaving a question mark hanging over many North-East branches.

Barnard Castle mayor John Yarker said the closure was a blow for the town, as Lloyds TSB recently closed its branch.

Bill Oldfield, chairman of Teesdale Marketing, said Yorkshire Bank was putting its customers in Barnard Castle after profits, and customers should "vote with their feet" against the bank.

Other closures by NAB were described as a hammer blow for many communities, particularly in Scotland where the Federation of Small Businesses said customers would lose the last bank in town.

The proposals affecting Lloyds TSB staff will result in the loss of 211 jobs in Swansea, as well as 126 posts in Plymouth, 38 in Cardiff, 35 roles in Stockton and 55 jobs in Taunton.

The bank last night promised that its Sunderland call centre, which employs 650 workers, has a secure future.

Phil Exley, head of the Sunderland operation, said: "Newcastle has gone and we have had some offshoring.

"But we have made a strategic investment in Sunderland and are here to stay."

Meanwhile, HSBC bank workers are to stage a one-day strike.

Members of Amicus voted by 68 per cent in favour of a walkout in protest at the imposition of a pay deal, which the union said would lead to a wage cut for thousands of workers.

The stoppage will be held on May 27, the same day as the bank's annual meeting and the Friday before the Bank Holiday. Amicus said that HSBC branches will be closed for four days as a result of the action.