LLOYDS Banking Group has announced plans to shut 56 of its local branches across the country.

Herefordshire communities have been spared the cull.

The company said 31 Lloyds, 10 Halifax and 15 Bank of Scotland branches will be shut across the UK as fewer customer choose to bank in stores.

It said the bank branches will close between April and October 2020.

The move is expected to mean staff numbers will be cut by "under 80" as many employees are to be redeployed in other branches.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokeswoman said: "We are committed to having the largest branch network in the UK and, in addition to our branches, all our customers can also use the Post Office to access their banking locally, alongside our mobile branches which visit many rural communities.

"This is in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches."