TWO bank branches are to close with the loss of nine jobs.

Bristol and West, the former building society, is shutting its offices in Maidstone and Ashford at 4pm on Monday. Its only other Kent office, in Tunbridge Wells, is to remain open.

The move follows a nationwide review of the bank's branches that has led to 33 branch closures and the loss of around 200 jobs. Some staff have been offered jobs in other parts of the bank.

Bristol and West, owned by the Bank of Ireland, is concentrating on areas of the country where it is strongest.

Three staff are to lose their jobs at the Middle Row, Maidstone, branch and six at the branch in Bank Street, Ashford. The Maidstone branch has been serving customers for more than 20 years.

Customers were told about the closures two months ago and invited to switch to postal or telephone accounts.

However, some have decided to move their accounts to other banks or building societies with local outlets.

Bristol and West spokesman Mike Gutsell said customers had been told that the Tunbridge Wells branch would remain open.

"But from Ashford to Tunbridge Wells is 32 miles so I quite understand that some people won't want to travel there," he said.

"But we've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people taking up our offer of dealing with us by post and phone."

He added: "The branch network is an important part of our business but it needs to work for us. This was not an easy decision to make and we hope customers will stick with us."

A member of staff in the Maidstone branch, who did not wish to be named, said: "I feel sorry for our customers, we are a friendly organisation. They have been bringing us cakes and saying they are sorry to see us go."