A BUILDING society has confirmed that it is to close its agency in Leyburn from April.

Darlington Building Society customers will have to travel to Northallerton or Darlington for a counter service in future.

The society blames a dwindling number of customers in Wensleydale for the decision.

One investor, Digby Angus, who lives in Leyburn, said he would close his two accounts with the society when the office, operated through John G Hills, closes.

He said many people in the area were unable to travel to gain access to their accounts.

"Are they supposed to operate their accounts by pigeon post?" he said. "Not everyone in Leyburn and the surrounding area have cars, particularly the older residents, or the time or ability to travel to wherever to access their accounts."

When he inquired about what customers should do, he was told that they could switch to the Halifax Building Society agency in the town.

A spokesman for Darlington Building Society, which closed its agency in Richmond five years ago, confirmed the Leyburn agency would close on April 7.

A statement issued from the society's Darlington headquarters said: "Demand for the services offered in Leyburn from a small number of customers has diminished over time, leaving the society little choice but to close the agency.

"There are a good number of financial institutions with outlets in Leyburn, so the impact of the planned closure will be minimal.

"Any customer wishing to maintain an account relationship with Darlington Building Society will be encouraged to either deal with the society by post or visit one of the society's 13 branches throughout the region, the nearest of which is Northallerton."

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