A RURAL bank branch is to close two days a week following a review by regional management.

Barclays at Middleton-in-Teesdale is currently open five days a week, but will switch to three by the beginning of April, only three months after the D&S Times was assured by officials that the rumour of reduced hours was unfounded.

The bank first intended closing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but this brought protests from locals including Coun Alan Scott and it will now shut on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Coun Scott, who is also chairman of Middleton Auction Mart, said, "There is dismay at the closure, especially when folks heard they were planning to close on a Tuesday, as that is the traditional mart day. It was going to knock hell out of the whole system."

However, the bank's regional liaison manager, Karen Swainston, told the D&S Times that, after consultation with locals including Coun Scott, it had been decided to opt for the other two days.

She gave assurances that there would be no job losses.

"It will be at least a month before anything happens as we need to communicate the changes to customers," she said, citing the fact that usage was down as a reason for the move. She pointed out that night safe facilities would be available for businesses left unable to access the bank.

But Coun Scott feels the rural community is again getting the thin end of the wedge. "If they kept it open four days a week we would not object to Wednesday closing as it is a bit of a dead day in Middleton," he said. "You would think a big concern like Barclays would want to keep its flag flying as the only bank in Middleton.

"Around 20 people have put their names on a list indicating that they will move their business to another bank altogether, probably at Kirkby Stephen, rather than travel to use Barclays at Barnard Castle," he added.

Coun Scott was also annoyed that three years ago when Barclays was closing other rural branches, including nearby St John's Chapel, he was told that there was no chance of Middleton closing. "I hope this action isn't to soften us up for the blow of it closing altogether," he said.

Ms Swainston denied the reduced hours were a precursor to the branch's eventual closure, saying they were merely being practical in deciding to close two days a week.

Meanwhile there is good news for residents of nearby Eggleston who will see post office services resume next month. A part time office will be based in the village hall a couple of mornings a week once the necessary security measures are in place. It is expected to open around mid-February and will save villagers a trip to Barnard Castle or Middleton. They are to be consulted about opening times.