THE LIB-DEM parliamentary candidate for Yeovil has asked a banking group to reconsider the closure of an Ilminster branch.

Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Yeovil, wrote to Charlie Dunn who heads up Lloyds Banking Group asking for the proposed closure of the Ilminster branch of Lloyds to be reconsidered.

Lloyds is the last remaining bank in the town and the nearest bank for many of the surrounding villages, as such is a vital resource for those who are unable or do not wish to use online banking, Mr Dance said.

If Lloyds is not prepared to reconsider, then Mr Dance would like Lloyds to support the establishment of a Banking Hub.

He said: "I asked Mr Dunn to reconsider the decision to close the Lloyds branch acknowledging that Ilminster is an expanding market town and the destination for many neighbouring villages and hamlets.

“It’s absurd that a town like Ilminster, which once had a range of banks, would be left without a single bank in the town.

"If Mr Dunn is unable to reconsider, then we need his support for a Banking Hub in Ilminster.

“I believe that the current criteria set by Cash Access UK are too stringent for a rural market town such as Ilminster.

“Ilminster has a population of 5,698 according to the last census, has grown since then, and is about to get even bigger with a 350-house development.

“So we must be reaching the 7,000 resident threshold.

"I plan to continue to press the case for retaining Lloyds Bank while at the same time arguing that a Banking Hub would be an alternative solution."

After the closure, the nearest alternative branches to Ilminster are the one in Chard, on 27 Fore Street, and the one in Taunton, on 31 Fore Street.

The nearest free-to-use ATM, however, is nearby (0.09 miles), and there are free-to-use ATMs within a mile and a half of the closing branch.

Link, who administer the locations of banking hubs, stated that Ilminster does not qualify for a banking hub due to less then 7,000 people living within a kilometre of the town centre, and less than 70 retail business being situated within the same radius.