The closure of a bank in Bourne End is just another example of important assets leaving villages, a well known community figure has said.

NatWest have announced they will be closing their Bourne End branch in March next year and have highlighted a 24 per cent drop in activity over the last few years as a significant factor behind the decision.

However, Bourne End Residents Association chairman Jim Penfold said it is a “crying shame” the village will lose the “community asset” which could leave some villagers having to go to the centre of High Wycombe.

He said: “Losing all these assets is a crying shame, in Bourne End we have certain outlets for our needs but some of these have gone and they also go from surrounding villages.

“I know many people use online banking but sometimes people need to go into a bank and it would be a shame if we lost all our vital services and people were forced to go into the centre of Wycombe.

“I think it speaks volumes about the current customer values and in most places service just appears to be going out of the window.”

The Bourne End bank will be closed on March 9, with the group also announcing a bank in Burnham will also be closed on the same day.

Spokesman Lisa Williams said: “We’ve advised staff and we’re writing to our customers to make them aware of the closure and the different ways they can still bank with us.

“If customers or local businesses are concerned about how this will impact their banking, they can go into the branch where staff will be happy to discuss the alternative ways to bank with us.”

She added: “Over our whole branch network there has been a 30 per cent drop in branch transactions since 2010 as people do their banking where and when it is convenient for them, whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by over 200 per cent.

"We expect these trends to continue as more and more of our customers bank with us through our mobile app, by online and telephone and through our upgraded ATM network.“

Although in-store banking at the Bourne End NatWest will cease in four months, ATMs at both branches will be kept and the village Post Office will allow customers to withdraw cash, check balances, and make deposits free of charge.

What do you think of the closure? Share your views by emailing andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755089.