The Esher and Teddington branches of Natwest are set to close later this year, with the bank blaming an increase in mobile and online transactions.

The branches - which will close on September 21 - are only two of the 158 branches that Natwest and RBS are closing in the UK.

The decision to close the branch is said to have been made after “careful consideration of a wide range of factors”, including branch usage and the ways customers bank with them.

A Natwest spokesman said: “The way people choose to bank with us has changed radically over the last few years.

“Between 2010 and 2015, mobile and online transactions have increased by over 400 per cent and mobile transactions alone have increased by 1,350 per cent.

“Since 2011 we have seen the number of transactions in the Esher branch decline by 44 per cent.”

He added that: “We know that not all of our customers are comfortable and familiar with using online or mobile banking, so we have created a new specialist taskforce of Digital Experts who will be dedicated to supporting our customers with training and support with digital skills.”

The nearest Natwest branch for Esher customers will be in the High Street in Walton, nearly three miles away.

Teddington customers will have to head to the Twickenham branch in King Street, 1.5 miles away.