HSBC is axing 82 branches across the country this year in a radical shake up - including north Herts.

The banking giant explained the decision to shut its doors in many communities has been made in response to 'market trends, customer behaviour and branch usage.'

Included in the number will be the site in Letchworth, on Station Road.

HSBC insisted that 81 of the branches to be closed are within one mile of a Post Office, with two-thirds within five miles of another HSBC branch, while nine in 10 are fewer than 10 miles from a branch.

The Letchworth branch in the centre of the town has been earmarked to serve its final customer in September, but HSBC's branch in Hitchin has escaped the cull.

Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK head of network, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for the changes that we are making.

"It hasn't pushed us in a different direction but reinforces the things that we were focusing on before and has crystalised our thinking. This is a strategic direction that we need to take to have a branch network fit for the future.

"Making sure we have a sustainable branch network is essential to us, and decisions to close branches are not taken lightly.

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"By ensuring we have the most suitable branch format in each specific local market that we serve, we will ensure that we are in good shape to meet the challenges ahead."

The 82 branch closures will bring down HSBC's total branch network down to 511 but the bank would not reveal how many jobs are being lost.

However, the closures will raise serious concerns that elderly and vulnerable customers - many of who do not have internet banking or find it difficult to travel long distances - are being abandoned by big banks once again.