Residents are fighting to keep a 24-hour cash machine in their village following news its only bank will be closing.

Barclays Bank announced at the start of the month that it would be closing its Loddon branch on December 15 as part of a string of closures nationwide.

The decision to close the Church Plain bank was met with disappointment and frustration from residents and businesses.

And this week, at a meeting of Loddon and District Business Association (LDBA) which residents were invited to attend, it was decided the village would fight to have the Barclays cash machine relocated to another place.

Caroline Bown, chairman of LDBA, said: 'The Post Office have said that they will be able to do the everyday type of banking that most people use Barclays for so that is really good news for residents and businesses as it means people will be able to use it to get cash out or pay in cheques or cash which was something a lot of people were really worried about.

'We have also agreed a location that we would like to pursue with the company involved and Barclays to get the cash machine relocated as it is our only 24-hour external cash point.

'We were pleased to hear from customers that they have been reassured that the current cash point will continue running at the bank for another six months after it closes which is also good news.'

Mrs Bown thanked all those who attended and said residents are still invited to sign a letter which will be sent to Barclays on behalf of users with the suggestions for the new location of the cash point.

Mrs Bown said local businesses had also been asked if they would be happy to stock paying in slips for customers who previously picked them up at the bank.

Barclays has cited declining numbers of counter transactions as the main reason for the branch's closure, and said just 153 people use the branch exclusively for their banking.

A statement said: 'At Barclays Loddon branch 52pc of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.'

Mrs Bown has also set up a Facebook group - Loddon needs to keep a cashpoint - to gather community support.

Anyone who would like to sign the letter can email info@LDBA.org.uk.