WITH Hexham’s NatWest branch one of five in the North-East scheduled for closure, the town has been allocated a new community banker.

Scott Mclaren (47) is currently based in the town centre two days each week and, when the Battle Hill branch closes on July 4, he will relocate to a new home in order to remain on hand for customers.

“I’m looking for office space at the moment because the role is about engaging with the community as much as possible,” said Scott.

“I’m here to give personal assistance and support with anything from online banking to financial health checks.”

Scott, who is currently looking for suitable premises, said the move was in response to a radical change in customers’ banking habits. Counter service has reduced by something like 44 per cent over the last few years,” said Scott, who lives in Durham, but will travel to Tynedale two days a week.

As part of his introduction to the town, Scott, who is a former NatWest tech expert, will be running a scam awareness session at Hexham fire station in conjunction with Northumbria Police’s Force Intelligence Bureau and Northumberland County Council’s trading standards team.

The session will run on April 28 from 10am until noon. Places can be reserved by emailing scott.mclaren@natwest.com or claire.douglas@northumberland.gov.uk