Lloyds Banking Group has revealed it is pulling out of Hythe because of a shift in consumer habits.

Last year a spokesman said the branch in Hythe High Street will remain open despite a 32% drop in people using its services.

But now the group said it will wind up the branch on May 22 because of the: “changing ways customers do our banking with us, not market pressures.”

It comes as Lloyds shut sites in Broadstairs, Hawkhurst, New Ash Green and Tenterden in the later half of last year.

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said the decision was “difficult” but plans are underway to introduce a “mobile branch” to the area.

They said: “We have made the difficult decision to close the Lloyds Bank Hythe branch at the end of May this year due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in the branch being used less often.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and will be speaking to customers about our new mobile branch service, which will start before the branch closes.

“The mobile branch will provide a vital service to the local communities it visits, by giving customers access to everyday banking services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.”

They added negotiations are underway with the council to decide when and exactly where the mobile branch will be rolled out.

There are “no current plans to close the Folkstone branch,” they added.

It means residents in need of counter services, when the mobile is unavailable, will face a ten mile round journey to bank over the counter.

The bank’s doors will close exactly one year after Natwest on the High Street shut following a 32% drop in people walking in and using the services.

For Lloyds the number of counter transactions plummeted last year by a further 12.3, the spokesman said.

They added: “The Post Office is a very short distance from the branch and we will be proactively talking to customers about the service they offer.

“Personal and Business Banking customers can withdraw money or check their balance, as well as pay in cheques and money to their account at any Post Office branch.

“The nearest free to use ATM is also a very short distance from the branch.”