The closure of a bank branch that will leave North Walsham with only one branch has been pushed back by more than six months.

Lloyds has faced criticism after announcing it would close its North Walsham site on November 17 and its Cromer bank on October 25.

But the bank is now delaying its North Walsham closure until May 29 next year, and a spokesman said a "community banker" would visit the town weekly afterward to offer face-to-face support.

A Lloyds spokesman said: “As many customers now choose to bank online or through their mobile app, visits to our North Walsham branch have fallen over recent years. 

"The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs, alongside other ways to bank such as online, phone and mobile banking services”.

READ MORE: Lloyds to close Cromer and North Walsham branches

Eastern Daily Press: Lloyds is closing branches in North Walsham and CromerLloyds is closing branches in North Walsham and Cromer (Image: PA)

North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker welcomed the delay, but said a 'community banker' would not be enough and called for the opening of new banking hubs and mobile branches.

Mr Baker said: “I’m very pleased that the closure has been delayed by over six months because it would be completely unfair to simultaneously close two branches which serve more than 20,000 people.

“A community banker is not sufficient.

“Whilst I'm still bitterly disappointed with the branches closing, I do hope this action I've taken will help ease the process.

“I will continue to keep pushing for more support to be given to our communities for when these vital pieces of infrastructure are withdrawn.”

The Lloyds Banking Group - which includes Halifax and the Bank of Scotland - is set to close 81 Lloyds bank sites, 47 Halifax branches and 15 Bank of Scotland sites this year alone.

READ MORE: How new banking hubs could replace closing bank branches in north Norfolk

This is despite the firm making more money than ever. Lloyds reported a 46pc jump in pre-tax profit to £2.3bn for the first three months of 2023, £611 million higher than the same period in 2022.

Eastern Daily Press: North Norfolk MP Duncan BakerNorth Norfolk MP Duncan Baker (Image: Duncan Baker)