"We must retain in-person banking facilities for our rural areas" - that's the message of MP Guy Opperman as he launches a new campaign.

The Hexham and Ponteland MP is calling for better access to physical banking facilities in his constituency.

Mr Opperman recently met with representatives at Barclays to persuade them to roll out its mobile banking vans across Tynedale and Ponteland.

The vans provide banking services to people who prefer to use in-person banking facilities rather than online banking.

The MP has also written to the chief executives of Lloyds, NatWest and HSBC to ask them to rollout mobile and pop-up facilities for customers in Northumberland.

Guy Opperman MP said: “Access to cash and in-person banking are vital services to residents who may not be able to access online banking.

"I would encourage all banks with customers across Tynedale and Ponteland to roll out services that will benefit their customers.

"We must retain in-person banking facilities for our rural areas”