Lloyds Banking Group has announced that its Maldon branch is set to close in 2022, as part of a string of closures blamed on declining visits from customers.

The Maldon branch, at 68 High Street, is among 41 Lloyds Bank and seven Halifax branches shutting across the country.

It is set to close in February 2022.

The closures will cut the number of Lloyds Banking Group branches to 1,475 and could lead to up to 178 job losses.

Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Like many other businesses, we've seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing.

"Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them."

But Sharon Graham, general secretary for Unite the Union, called the closures "a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business".

She said: "This sector needs to start taking their corporate social responsibilities seriously and stop neglecting their obligations to their customers and workforce.

"Banks are leaving people behind in the rush to close bank branches and force consumers to go cashless to boost their mega-profits. It's a classic example of putting profits before people."

Lloyds has not made any compulsory redundancies as a result of the closures, and aims to make voluntary redundancies or provide alternate roles.