MELROSE will be left with only one ATM from next month when the Bank of Scotland closes its town centre branch.

The Lloyds Banking Group, owners of the Bank of Scotland, announced in August that Melrose was to be amongst 23 branches to close this year.

Despite public appeals for the retention of the Market Square ATM it will be removed following the forthcoming closure.

A Bank of Scotland spokesman confirmed the last day of trading is to be October 31.

He added: "We have made the difficult decision to close this branch.

"This branch has been identified for closure because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

"The majority of customers also now regularly use alternative branches or use other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking to complete their banking needs.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branches.”

The number of personal customers using the Melrose branch is going down each year by 23 per cent, and research showed that 97 per cent of customers already use other branches, such as Galashiels.

Customers can also use the nearby Post Office to make withdrawals.

But the loss of the ATM will mean the town will now only have once hole in the wall - The Royal Bank of Scotland's at the other end of the High Street The spokesman added: "When the branch closes, the ATM will also be removed.

"However, there is a free to use ATM a short walk from our branch."

The prominent redstone Bank of Scotland building dates back to 1897.

Part of the closure process will see the ATM, alarm, camera and signage removed from the listed building.

And proposals put forward by the bank will see the space left behind by the removal of the cash machine infilled with coursed red sandstone.

Council leader David Parker, who represents Melrose, is angry about the decision.

He said: “The decision by the Bank of Scotland to close its Melrose branch is incredibly disappointing, particularly with the loss of the cash machine.

"It is clear that there will be a reduction of banks on all of our high streets in the years ahead due to the massive increase in telephone and internet banking but it is critical that proper consultation with communities should take place.

"All banks to start to work together to maybe have shared provision in our towns, so that there is at least one active bank with a cash machine facility.”