A district councillor is asking for help to find out just how many people and businesses regularly use Barclays bank at Leyburn.

It was announced last week that the branch will close on May 5, while nearby Bedale's Barclays will close on April 26.

Barclays said the Leyburn branch is used by just 19 regular customers and Bedale by just 17.

However Richmondshire District councillor John Amsden is far from convinced that Leyburn has only 19 regular customers. "I was in there on Friday and asked about that. Someone behind me said 'there are nine of us in here now and more coming'."

He said the bank is very much needed by those living in such a rural area which includes Swaledale, Arkengarthdale, Bishopdale, Coverdale, and Wensleydale.

"There are elderly people who don’t use computers or the internet," said Cllr Amsden. "They have to use public transport because they don’t drive. So they have got to bank locally especially as there is no bus connection to Northallerton after 3pm.

"The internet is very intermittent in parts of the dales which means residents can’t easily use internet banking and some businesses can’t take payments by card. A lot of people still pay in cash. There are the village halls and charities who need to pay in cash."

He also pointed out there were more bank scams now, and scammers often target the elderly.

He asked those who bank at the Barclays branch in Leyburn and use it regularly to tell him by emailing him at cllr.j.amsden@richmondshire.gov.uk.

Barclays has pledged to maintain a regular presence in both Bedale and Leyburn. In a letter to customers it said the closure of branches is never easy and the company appreciated it may not be welcome news. "But we will make sure your local community continue to have access to our banking services when you need them, it will just be in a different way," the letter said.