BANK bosses are being urged to keep Frinton’s Lloyds branch open for the elderly and local businesses – or face a mass exodus of customers.

The Lloyds Banking Group is set to close three banks in north Essex as part of a cull of “little-used” branches.

More than 1,200 jobs are being cut at Lloyds under plans to shut 49 branches across the country.

It is understood the move will also affect branches in Brightlingsea and at Essex University.

The banking giant previously said the branches will close in response to changing behaviour and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.

But residents in Frinton are calling on the company to reconsider the proposal and allow the Frinton branch to remain.

Jeanette Phillips, a company director and also secretary of Frinton Residents’ Association, wrote to the bank objecting to the planned closure of the Connaught Avenue branch.

She said: “I particularly moved two business accounts to Lloyds recently so that we could receive a local service.

“The directors of these businesses do not want to have to travel to Clacton branch in future and I am now considering moving our accounts to another bank that does provide a local service.

“It is extremely disappointing as we have been impressed with the service that we have received from Lloyds since switching.

“There are many elderly residents in Frinton who are not going to be able to travel to Clacton as they are not able to drive, and they do not have computer access, so therefore cannot undertake electronic banking.

“Keeping a local bank in our town is vital as we have one of the few high streets that is surviving in difficult times and many local businesses need access to a bank nearby in order to continue to trade in Frinton.”

Lloyds previously promised to expand its mobile branch network by another seven to 36 to help offset the branch closures.

A report by Lloyds said: “Following a careful review, the Frinton branch will close on October 18.

“We have made the difficult decision to close this branch because of the changing ways customers choose to bank with us - most are already using an alternative way to bank in addition to the branch.

“You can continue to use any other Lloyds branches and the nearest alternative branch is the West Avenue, Clacton, branch.

“Additionally, one of our new Lloyds mobile branches will visit the Frinton area which customers can use for many of their everyday banking needs.”

The review also showed that 40 per cent of customers at the branch are aged 65 or over.

It added that 550 people use branch on a monthly basis and 52 people on a weekly basis.

But Lloyds Banks said the branch has been four per cent quieter than a year ago and that the branch has 63 per cent fewer personal customers than a typical branch.