YORKSHIRE Bank is closing its Skipton branch.

The High Street premises are among six branches across the north of England and Midlands that will shut.

The bank's owner, CYBG, made the announcement late on Wednesday afternoon.

It says the number of customers using branches for day-to-day transactions across the UK banking industry has been on a downward trend for a number of years.

Fergus Murphy, group retail director at CYBG, said: “Announcing plans to close branches is never easy and it’s not a decision we take lightly.

"A number of factors are taken into consideration when reviewing our network, including branch usage, footfall and customer behaviour. Each branch is also assessed on an individual basis, carefully considering the impact on the local area, as well as alternative options."

He added that Yorkshire Bank would work with customers, communities and stakeholders to ensure that the transition to a new branch – and alternative ways of banking – are as smooth and as sensitive as possible, particularly where vulnerable customers are concerned.

The branches – which also include Bramley, Redcar, Tamworth, Widnes and Sutton-in-Ashfield – will begin to close in August.

It is hoped to find alternative roles for staff but the company warns there may be redundancies.