Another Norfolk town is to lose a bank branch following a wave of recent closures.

HSBC has announced it will be shutting up shop in North Walsham in November.

It will be the first bank to close in the town in recent years, but concern has been raised the loss of further branches could be on the cards.

North Norfolk District councillor for the town Ann Moore said: 'We have been remarkably well served, but I am concerned that other branches in the town could now close.

'I feel the loss of a bank in North Walsham, when it now serves a much larger area than the town and surrounding villages, will be a backward step and I very sincerely hope this does not provide a domino effect.'

North Walsham mayor Barry Hester said he had visited bank branches in the town following his election.

'They all said business was good so I am surprised by this announcement. I am very concerned if jobs are going to be lost. The branch occupies a very prominent place in the town - we are trying to fill premises not see them go empty.'

The company blamed a reduction in business at the Market Place branch for the decision and said it would be working to address the concerns of customers and staff.

An HSBC spokesman said: 'We continually review our branch network to make sure our branches are in the right locations for our customers and we have a sustainable network for the future.

'Over the past five years, we have seen an overall reduction in footfall at our branches of more than 40 per cent, and sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to close branches.

'These are not decisions we take lightly and we work closely with those impacted, including customers and staff, to help them understand their options.

'We understand branch closures may cause concern for some of our customers.'

The branch is due to close on November 25. Customers will be able to use the town's Post Office on New Road for banking or the nearest HSBC branch in Cromer.

Stalham lost its final two bank branches when Nat West and Barclays closed last year. HSBC shut its outlet in Reepham in September leaving the town without a bank.