A BANK branch in a village near Durham is set to close later this year.

The Barclays in Carrville, near Durham City, has been earmarked for closure in November.

A spokesperson from the bank said it was due to reducing number of customers going into the branch in High Street.

She said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices. At Barclays Durham Carrville branch customer usage has continued to decline and 58 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We hope that the availability of our other Barclays branch at Market Place, Durham, which is located just over two and a half miles away, and access to services at the local Post Office located at 4 Cheveley Park, Belmont, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”

Customer Michael Coulson, from Carrville has lodged an official complaint about the closure because he says it will make life more difficult for old people in the village.

The 80-year-old said: “It’s highly inconvenient and I’m not speaking just for myself. There are a lot of people who use that branch because you can park right outside free of charge.

“It’s all very well saying go to another branch but they are in Hetton and Houghton-le-Spring – that’s not convenient. Otherwise you’ve got to go to Sunderland or Durham and for anyone that’s old or struggles with mobility it’s very difficult. That branch is always busy.”