A CREDIT union could set up offices in a former Pendle bank branch to offer local people a financial lifeline.

The move was revealed as campaigners won a last-minute assurance from bank bosses that Barclays will not put any restrictions on who buys or lets its former branch in Victoria Road, Earby, which shut its doors for the final time yesterday.

It means another bank could step in and open its own branch, something campaigners who fought the controversial closure hope will happen.

Around half a dozen protesters were the last customers to leave the branch at 4pm yesterday. They had promised a sit-down protest but after speaking to Mark Abbott, Barclays' area retail manager, campaigners said they had been given the assurances they were looking for and called it off.

John Wickham, a protester and member of Colne and District Credit Union, said: "The credit union covers this area and is looking for premises and this would be an excellent time to capitalise on Barclays' decision.

"I will be asking the credit union members if they would consider renting this property as a head office.

"Credit unions are becoming more and more involved with financial services."

Mr Wickham said Mr Abbott had spoken to his bosses at head office and they had promised Barclays will not put any restrictions on the sale or letting of the branch premises. "We were concerned they may decide not to sell to another bank, for instance. We got a positive response to our questions. Any actions we were to take were dependent on the answers to those questions."

The campaigners also decided not to ask for the keys to the branch to be handed over for safe keeping locally. Campaigners admitted there was no chance Barclays would agree.

Many customers, including Pendle council, have said they will consider closing their accounts in protest at the closure of the last bank in the town.

Jane Milne said: "I will close my account and switch to another bank. They don't deserve your custom. I could understand it more if Earby was a little village but it's not. They just don't care, they're not bothered."

Rachel Wightman, who has personal and business accounts with Barclays, said: "I think it's disgusting. Nobody can go anywhere else in Earby to bank. They are going to lose a lot of bank accounts because of this."

Sarah Greer agreed the decision was a poor one but said she would continue to bank with Barclays. "I'm not happy like a lot of people but there's no point changing banks because I will still have to go out of town to get to a branch."

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