News another high street bank is set to close has been branded 'ridiculous'.

The Natwest in Deal will close its door for the final time this summer after the number of visitors fell by 64%.

Customers will now have to travel more than eight miles to visit their next closest branch.

The decision has been met with backlash online, where residents took to Facebook to express their disappointment.

More than 60 comments were posted on the Deal Noticeboard page.

Francesca Lawrence wrote: "This is getting ridiculous now."

Laura Chandler simply said: "Boycott."

Lesley Denton said: "Dreadful news. Just hope Nationwide is staying - always good service, helpful staff and nothing is too much trouble."

Corrine Macgregor said: "Not everyone wants to bank online, I certainly don't, so loyal bank customers are pushed aside again."

Rowena Bailey wrote: "Another one closing. Be nothing left here soon. Not everyone is digital, especially a lot of elderly. Trying to talk to anyone on phone is a nightmare now."

Elizaberh Heaver wrote: "I just switched to them because there was no HSBC branch."

But Jonathan Whitehead said: "To be fair almost all banking is digital nowadays and it's pretty reliable. The next generation won't know what a bank branch is. I haven't had to visit a branch of my bank in years.

"My experience of people of retired age is the majority have an amazing understanding and confidence in digital banking."

NatWest, in Deal High Street, will close on Wednesday, July 5.

The nearest alternative NatWest branches are in Market Square, Dover, 8.6 miles from Deal High Street, and Ramsgate, 13.8 miles away.

A NatWest spokesman said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.

“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.

“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”

The company say between 2019 and 2022, counter transactions fell by 64%.

Customers can still use face to face banking services at any Post Office with the nearest one being a couple of minutes' walk away at Queen Street.

In January, NatWest announced it was closing 23 other branches with those at Maidstone, Sheerness and Cranbrook going in May.

Barclays Bank is ending its Folkestone branch in June in one of 132 announced branch shutdowns by the company so far this year.

Romney Marsh was left without a single bank branch when Lloyds left New Romney last November.

NarWest says it has a support line for those having difficulty in online banking.