Traders who successfully fought for a cash machine have been told their village is to lose its only bank.

Members of the Birstall Chamber of Trade say business could be hit after Barclays closes its branch in Market Place on Friday, April 7.

Vice-chairman Peter Coomber said: "It's annoying after we worked so hard to get a cashpoint that Barclays is pulling out.

"It's not good for Birstall and I think it reflects badly on Barclays that they can't attract enough business when they are the only bank here."

The chamber collected a petition of more than 2,500 signatures last year calling for a cash dispenser - before NatWest fitted a machine at a supermarket in Smithies Lane.

Councillor Austin Calvert, (Lab, Birstall & Birkenshaw), who plans to lobby other banks to open in the village, said the move would harm trade.

He said: "If people need to travel to Batley to withdraw cash they're likely to spend it there. There are lots of elderly people in Birstall and it will be inconvenient for them."

Coun Calvert said Birstall had three banks in the 1980s.

Barclays spokesman Yasmin Choudhury said the branch was one of 200 being closed around the country this year.

She said: "Demand for the Birstall branch has slipped away; the way people do their banking has changed. While we realise local customers will be inconvenienced, we can no longer say we will keep branches everywhere though we can promise banking everywhere through telephone and Internet banking."

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