UPTON-upon-Severn's Lloyds branch is to close as part of plans to shut 49 branches nationally.

A statement from Lloyds Banking Group website says: "Following a careful review, Upton-upon-Severn branch will close on 15 October.

"We have made the difficult decision to close this branch because customers are using it less often. In addition the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank."

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and will be speaking to customers about the new mobile branch service, which will be on the road before the branch closes, as well as their nearest alternative branch, which is Tewkesbury.

"The new mobile branch service will provide a vital service to the Upton-upon-Severn area, by giving customers access to everyday banking services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills."

Nationally more than 1,200 jobs are being axed at Lloyds Banking Group, with 1,230 jobs cut across its branch network and some central functions as part of the move.

It said it hopes to redeploy affected staff where possible, with compulsory redundancies a “last resort”.

The group insisted the overall job losses would be 305 as 925 roles would be created elsewhere in the business.

The branches will close across its Lloyds and Halifax banking brands between July and October this year.

A spokesman for Lloyds said: "These branch closures are in response to changing behaviour and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches."

On the job cuts, the spokesman said: "The group's policy is always to use natural turnover and to redeploy people wherever possible to retain their expertise and knowledge within the group.

"Where it is necessary for employees to leave the company, we will look to achieve this by offering voluntary redundancy. Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort."

The group added the new roles being created comes as part of its pledge to invest £3 billion on technology and training staff under a new three-year strategy.

Last year the Worcester News reported on local's fears that the Lloyds in St John's - the last bank left in that area - would soon close.

That branch, along with the Lloyds and Halifax branch in the city centre, appear to have avoided the latest branch closures.