AN ASSEMBLY member has met with a banking giant to voice strong objections to its plans to close its branch in Ruthin.

Barclays will be closing its branch in the town on April 20. Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West, branded the decision "disgusting" and asked for an urgent meeting with bank chiefs.

Last week, Mr Millar's grant was granted and he met with Raj Dhaliwal, Barclays community banking manager for North Wales and Shropshire, to discuss the proposed closure.

He said: "I expressed the concerns of the community regards the impact of the closure on Barclays’ loyal customers and local businesses, and the future of the historic building in which the branch is located.

"Regrettably, Barclays are determined to see their decision through, citing a falling number of transactions at the branch and the increasing use of digital and telephone banking. They have indicated that they do not own the building in which the branch is located and have committed to encouraging their landlord to keeping the community informed about its future use.

"Big banks should have minimum branch access requirements and ought to be compelled to work together so at least one bank is available in each large town."

The Barclays in Denbigh will also close in April.