THE empty council offices on Fore Street in Wellington will soon become the town's new temporary banking hub.

A temporary banking hub will be set up at 30 Fore Street whilst Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company owned and funded by nine major high street banking providers, search for a permanent home.

The news comes ahead of the imminent closure of Wellington's last remaining bank, Lloyds (also on Fore Street), which will cease operations on Monday, March 25.

A spokesperson for Wellington Town Council said: "While we do not yet have an opening date to share, Cash Access UK are hopeful that it will be up and running before or shortly after the closure of Lloyds in Fore Street."

Cash Access UK is owned by Bank of Ireland UK, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money which work together to provide cash and basic banking services in communities across the UK.