Nationwide is pulling out of Tewkesbury, after more than 40 years in the town.

The building society's branch in Barton Street will close on July 22, leading to five staff being made redundant.

Customers have reacted with dismay and civic leaders are disappointed at the loss.

Twyning resident Ian Halford is one of the customers who now face having to go to branches such as Cheltenham or Pershore or bank by post, telephone or the internet.

He said: "If I go to the Pershore branch, that's a round trip of 16 miles. Also, a lot of older people have not got the internet and like to go into the branch.

"Nationwide says this is happening because the branch agent has decided to retire, but why can't they find another place in Tewkesbury? I think it's just an excuse."

Mr Halford believes it is bad news for the town, saying: "I feel it's another nail in Tewkesbury's coffin."

Customer Ann-Marie Harris holds a business account with the branch, for the caravan site she runs at The Leigh, near Tewkesbury.

She said: "It's a real shame as the branch is always busy. I'll have to make the trip to Cheltenham now and that branch is going to be more packed than usual."

Tewkesbury's deputy mayor, Councillor Geoff Pope, said: "It's very sad to see any kind of shop in Barton Street closing. Any closure in Tewkesbury needs to be refilled as soon as possible."

He added that he was particularly sad to see another shop in Barton Street close as he wanted to see it become the thriving street it once was.

The branch opened at the site in 1969 as the Co-operative Permanent Building Society, before changing its name to the Nationwide a year later.

The firm that owns the building, Morgan Waugh Haines LLP, hopes to let it to another business.

In a statement, Nationwide said: "We have written to customers to inform them that the branch agent in Tewkesbury has decided to retire and the agency will close on July 22."