I WISH to bring to the attention of people who live in and near Ryedale the possibility of the closure of the Pickering branch of Barclays bank next year.

I find this an appalling, short-sighted prospect for so many people like myself.

I am recently widowed and in my 80s. Although I am computer literate I refuse to bank online for many reasons. In the past I have had my computer hacked. Where I live we have loss of power at times. But the most serious issue is the loss of personal contact.

In my case, as someone who is recently widowed, the staff in the Pickering branch have been so helpful to me in dealing with my joint account. It would have been impossible to have done all this online or indeed on the phone.

Whilst I was in my bank another customer had travelled to Pickering from Malton to deposit a large sum of cash from his business. There will be many more people like him.

The Pickering branch of Barclays is the last one to be open in this vast area.

I urge everyone to contact Barclays and to say no to the closure of OUR bank. We really do need it.

Contact your MP and anyone on the council. We must not give up on this.

Sue Cuthbert Newton on Rawcliffe