BRANCHES of a national bank are set to close in Dorchester and Bridport with staff jobs at risk.

The branches in the two market towns are among more than 50 The Co-operative Bank is closing nationwide.

With the Bournemouth and Yeovil branches also set to close, the nearest branch for many customers in west Dorset following the closures will be Exeter, although Co-operative claims many of its customers can access the majority of its services through their local Post Office or through telephone or mobile banking.

A spokesman for the company said the Dorchester branch will be closing on June 13 and Bridport on June 15.

He also confirmed that a total of eight roles will be at risk, four in each branch.

Liam Coleman, director retail and commercial bank at The Co-operative Bank, added: "We have always been very clear about the need to reduce the branch network to a size that is consistent with a smaller, sustainable bank as part of our business plan to turn the bank around.

"These decisions are never easy but continuing to reduce our costs is necessary as we seek to restructure and modernise the bank and, unfortunately, this includes closing branches where the number of transactions has declined significantly, meaning it is no longer sustainable.

"Although, like all banks, we will need to keep our branch network under review as the switch to digital increases, this is the last stage of significant branch closures as part of the bank’s transformation.

"We have sought to keep the impact on our customers to a minimum and are writing to affected customers giving them advance notice about these changes and the alternative options available to them.

"Alongside online and mobile banking facilities, all closing branches are within three miles of a Post Office branch where customers can undertake most day to day transactions, and in many cases much closer."

Dorchester town and district councillor David Taylor said he was "surprised and outraged" by the Co-operative's decision to close its local branches.

He said: "It's a sad loss for the local community and that's what the Co-op bank stood for - serving the local community.

"Customers are not being looked after at all."

Cllr Taylor said he also had sympathy for the staff that faced losing their jobs as a result of the closures.