THREE banks in north Essex are to be axed as part of a cull of “little-used” branches by the Lloyds Banking Group.

More than 1,200 jobs are being cut at Lloyds under plans to shut 49 branches in a blow to Britain’s high streets.

It is understood the move will affect branches in Brightlingsea, Frinton and at Essex University.

The banking giant said the branches will close in response to changing behaviour and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.

Lloyds customer Ann Pasco, 64, from Greenway, Frinton said it was a “great shame” the branch will close.

She said: “There’s a lot of elderly people round here that need that facility and it’s a great service to the community.”

Peter Goring, owner of Frinton’s Pier One restaurant, said it was a blow for the town coming following the closure of Natwest last year.

He said: “We joined this bank because it’s local, but now our closest branch will be miles away.

“People around here need a bank to cash in their pension.”

Lloyds said 1,230 jobs will be cut across its branch network.

It said it hopes to redeploy affected staff where possible, with compulsory redundancies a “last resort”.

Lloyds pledged to expand its mobile branch network by another seven to 36 to help offset the branch closures.

A spokesman for Lloyds said: “These branch closures are in response to changing behaviour and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.

“The group’s policy is always to use natural turnover and to redeploy people wherever possible to retain their expertise and knowledge within the group.

“Since 2011, over 90 per cent of role reductions have been achieved through a combination of natural attrition, redeployment and voluntary redundancy. Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort.”

The branches are expected to be closed between July and October.