Boots in Lyme Regis is to close its doors for the last time - taking its pharmacy with it. 

The Broad Street store will shut on Saturday.

A local councillor has said services in the town are 'disappearing through their fingers'.

It follows the closure of Boots on Portland earlier this month. 

The closure of both pharmacies are part of what the company describes as a 'consolidation program'.

Announced in June 2023, it will see more than 300 shops close across the UK.

News of the impending closure has been met with worry from the community. 

Cllr Belinda Bawden, Dorset Councillor for Charmouth and Lyme Regis, said she was 'scared'  about services in the town 'slipping through their fingers.'

She said: "It is a great shame, hot on the heels of the closure of Lloyds pharmacy.

"A lot of people, not just in Lyme Regis, are worried about the loss of services which we always thought would be there and which we took for granted.

"We will have lost two pharmacies in Lyme Regis, we are about to lose our last NHS dentist and that feels very scary.

"We have no banks and no Post Office and people are worried that our basic services are not going to be there, people feel helpless about it.

"As a councillor, I feel helpless, there is nothing we can do about it.

"Residents are feeling forgotten, not knowing what we can do.

"People are really worried, not just in Lyme Regis but what is next, the GP practice?

"We feel very vulnerable; services are disappearing through our fingers and it is quite scary."

The closure leaves just five pharmacies in the area of Bridport, Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Beaminster.

Edward Morello, parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, said: "I am deeply concerned by the closure of Boots in Lyme Regis. It leaves residents with no local service. However, I am not surprised.

"The number of pharmacies nationally is at its lowest levels since 2015, with an estimated eight closing every week, and 75 per cent operating at a loss.  

"The Liberal Democrats will fight for a better deal for pharmacies and the wider healthcare sector. We won't allow West Dorset to become a pharmacy desert."

Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, said: "‘I’m very concerned to hear what is going on with Boots.

"As I mentioned in the House of Commons a few weeks ago, Boots, the one-time respected stalwart of every high street is deserting Portland and Lyme Regis and questions should be asked as to what is going on in Boots when no other pharmacy has closed in West Dorset."