LOCAL savers are to be hit hard as an international banking giant moves to close another branch.

It has been confirmed that HSBC are going to close their Ulverston branch later this year.

The branch will shut on Friday November 25 according to an HSBC spokesman.

Speaking about the closure, Ulverston Mayor, Councillor Mark Wilson said: "I would be saddened by the closure.

"It would be a nuisance to thousands of people who bank with them."

Ulverston Town Council tweeted out their sadness over the branch's closure.

An HSBC spokesman said: "We continually review our branch network to make sure our branches are in the right locations for our customers and we have a sustainable network for the future.

"Over the past five years, we have seen an overall reduction in footfall at our branches of more than 40%, and sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to close branches.

"These are not decisions we take lightly and we work closely with those impacted, including customers, to help them understand their options.

"We understand branch closures may cause concern for some of our customers. We have put in place a number of measures to help, including a partnership with the Post Office, so our customers can still carry out their day to day banking."

The spokesman also confirmed the branch staff have been informed, and employees will be able to move to other branches if they choose.

This is yet another blow to small communities who have been hit disproportionately by bank closures.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown that Cumbria has been one of the worst hit areas for bank closures.

The HSBC branch in Grange closed in 2013, and earlier this month it was announced the Windermere branch would also close.

An Ulverston home was devastated by fire

Read about the local volunteers who put their lives on the line for their community