A Santander branch in Rickmansworth is among many branches shutting down in the UK.

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the movement towards online banking following three national lockdowns and people eager to limit personal contact.

In March, the banking firm announced plans to close 111 stores by the end of August and now a further 75 branches will be added to the list as the firm's closure programme gathers pace.

Among those is the branch at High Street Rickmansworth, which shut down today (July 1).

Other Hertfordshire branches, although further way, includes the one at Hatfield Town Centre today, with the Harpenden branch to shut at July 22.

According to Adam Bishop, Head of Branch Interactions at Santander the moves comes in response to less customers using branches.

He said: "Branch usage by customers has fallen considerably over recent years so we have made the difficult decision to consolidate our presence in areas where we have multiple branches relatively close together."

Last week the Lloyds Banking Group also announced that the Lloyds Bank in Northwood at Rowland place is shutting, which affects some people living near Rickmansworth.