TSB bank has permanently closed its Stourbridge branch due to the challenges posed by the coronavirus crisis.

The branch at the top of Stourbridge High Street had already been earmarked to close on October 6 this year but changes brought about by the lockdown and social distancing measures - to help stop the spread of COVID-19 - have prompted bosses to rethink the decision and bring the closure forward.

The small branch office has now closed permanently and customers have been informed in a letter which says: "We were due to close our Stourbridge branch at 106 High Street, Stourbridge, on October 6 2020.

"Due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, we've had to close this branch and have taken the decision that it will now remain permanently closed."

The letter says bank bosses made the decision to close now instead of October after looking carefully at the Stourbridge branch and how it is used.

It directs customers to use the branch of TSB at intu Merry Hill or the Old Hill branch in Halesowen Road.

Customers are also being encouraged to set up internet and telephone banking and use the TSB mobile phone app.

The small Stourbridge branch was opened when Lloyds Bank and TSB split.

TSB originally had its own larger branch further down the High Street but this closed some time after the Lloyds TSB merger in 1995.