Customers have been told their bank branch is to close.

The NatWest Bank in London Road, Larkfield, will shut on July 10.

It will leave villagers with a journey of 4.3 miles to reach the nearest NatWest in Maidstone, although the firm said it would continue to operate a “pop-up” facility at a nearby site, as yet unspecified, for 12 weeks to help with the transition.

The bank said the number of customers using the branch had decreased by 64% over the past four years.

Nevertheless, the closure announcement has been greeted with dismay by many customers on social media.

Yvonne Wilson, from Snodland said: “They closed the Snodland branch saying we could go to Larkfield. Now they close Larkfield, saying go to Maidstone. Soon it will be London!”

Chris Fisher said: “It’s all about control, pushing you towards a cashless society and making you go online.”

Phil Paris said: “They say just pop into Maidstone, but what about car parking fees and petrol costs?”

Last month NatWest confirmed plans to shut another Kent branch – after it emerged just 13 customers used it on a weekly basis last year.

The Ramsgate branch will close in August.