A former bank which closed as part of a cost-cutting programme will be turned into a dining area for a neighbouring pub.

There was uproar last year when two banks closed in Lindfield near Haywards Heath.

Villagers started petitions after Lloyds TSB and Barclays closed down, leaving the area without a single bank.

The banks said they were closing because of increasing moves towards internet banking.

The former Lloyds TSB, in High Street, will now be used by the Linden Tree pub for a dining area with 20 seats. Its existing dining facilities will relocate to the empty bank building.

Mid Sussex District Council was told the plans would not be considered harmful to the shopping street.

The proposals were approved at a meeting of the council's Central Area plans sub-committee.