RESIDENTS and visitors to Blaenau Ffestiniog can now enjoy 24-hour access to their own money following a hard-fought campaign to get a cashpoint replaced in the town.

MP Liz Saville Roberts joined local councillors and representatives from Co-op on Monday to launch a new 24-hour ATM in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The free-to-use external ATM, operated by Cardtronics UK, is located at the town’s Co-op store, providing a free round the clock service independent of business opening hours.

The local MP, along with members of the community have been fighting to improve cash withdrawal facilities in Blaenau Ffestiniog following HSBC’s decision to close the last bank on the high street in September.

Mrs Saville Roberts MP said: “I’d like to put on record my thanks to both the Co-op and Cardtronics for stepping in to help the community of Blaenau Ffestiniog following the closure of the town’s last bank in September.

“In a community with a population of nearly 5,000 coupled with a fast-developing tourism industry, it’s absolutely vital that people are able to withdraw cash at their convenience.”

David Hughes, manager of the Co-op in High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, added: “Feedback locally about the installation of a new cash machine has been fantastic.”