Residents have reacted with anger and disappointment at the announcement that NatWest bank in Seven Kings is to close.

The branch, in High Road, will shut on September 28, but the ATM will remain.

Cllr Robert Littlewood (Lab, Seven Kings) said: “It is a loss to lose the bank that is for sure and of course the complaints will come.

“It is the last main stream bank in the locality and it is very well used obviously.”

After the annoucnement was made last week, readers got in touch with the Recorder.

Danny O’Brien, of Seven Kings, said: “This is just another nail in the coffin for the shops in Seven Kings and I personally feel sad to see the bank go.

“The staff are friendly and over the years have become like family.”

He addedd: “I use the bank and it is always nice to pop in for a chat rather then risk taking money from the ATM which have been a focus for muggers.”

Michael Keeley said: “As a regular user of that branch and a resident of Seven Kings I am very disappointed with NatWest.”

A spokesman from NatWest said the number of transactions taking place at the Seven Kings branch had dropped by 15 per cent since 2011 and only 86 customers used the branch on a regular weekly basis. Of those customers 57 already used other branches in the area.

The bank also attributed the closure to the rise in online and mobile transactions. These have grown by 300pc since 2010.

The spokesman said: “The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but we have to respond to these changes.

“We have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.”

NatWest has reached an agreement with the High Road’s Post Office so customers can check their balance, deposit and withdraw funds and business customers can receive coinage.

The closest NatWest branches will be in High Road, Chadwell Heath and in Ilford Hill, Ilford.