Aberaeron and Tywyn are to lose their last banks in town after Barclays announced today they are to close both branches.

Aberaeron’s branch of Barclays, which is situated on Sgwar Alban, will close on 31 May and Tywyn’s branch on Neptune Road will close a week later on 7 June.

Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts, said: “I’m bitterly disappointed that Barclays is closing yet another bank in Meirionnydd, almost a year since they axed their branch in Barmouth, despite fierce local opposition.

“It simply isn’t good enough for banks to continually perpetuate the myth that all customers should move onto on-line banking because we all know that not everybody has access to a reliable internet connection.

“Some elderly people are reluctant to use e-banking, yet they obviously still need access to services.

"I will be seeking firm reassurances from bank bosses that alternative arrangements will be in place, so as to mitigate the impact of the closure on local customers.

“Banks have a social responsibility to serve our communities but sadly this picture is the same across north Wales, and the collapse in local banking will again hurt the most vulnerable.”

County councillor for Aberaeron, Cllr Elizabeth Evans slammed the move, saying she was “deeply saddened”, adding “banks have turned their backs on rural Wales and this closure will now leave us without a bank in Aberaeron".

“I have no anger of frustration left, just an overwhelming feeling of being totally let down.”

Speaking on the decision to close both branches, which are the last banks in their respective towns, Adrian Davies, Barclays community banking director for the area, said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At Barclays Tywyn and Aberaeron branches, customer usage has continued to decline, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close (Aberaeron seeing a 19 per cent in the last 24 months).

“We hope that the availability of our other branches at Barclays Dolgellau, Barclays Aberystwyth, Barclays Lampeter and access to banking services at the local Post Office currently located at Neptune Road, Tywyn, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”