A Royal Bank of Scotland branch will close in August after bosses recorded a 54% reduction in transactions since 2012.

The closure of the Ashford site comes after the company announced it will close 162 branches in England and Wales.

The branch, on the corner of New Rents and Drum Street, will shut on Monday, August 6.

RBS spokesman Andrew Neilson said: "Since 2012 we have seen the way in which people use Ashford branch change, with 76% of customers already banking in other ways locally.

"Transactions at Ashford have reduced by 54% since 2012 with only 22 customers now visiting the branch on a regular weekly basis.

"We will be proactively contacting our vulnerable customers to let them know about these changes as soon as possible and will allow plenty of time to give them the help and support they will need.

"We know that not all of our customers are comfortable using online or mobile banking and we are dedicated to supporting them. "Customers of RBS can also now use NatWest branches for their everyday banking."

A planning application has been submitted to Ashford Borough Council to remove the bank's signage.

To view the scheme, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 18/00816/AS application.