A bank has been accused of hypocrisy by turning a branch into a trendy bar and restaurant after criticising rivals for doing the same thing.

The branch of the NatWest Bank in East Wittering closed last year, forcing customers to travel seven miles to Chichester for their banking services.

Villagers, anxious to see what would happen to the stone building were shocked to find that planning permission had been granted to transform it into a tapas bar called El Banco.

NatWest has recently launched an advertising campaign that shows an elderly woman saddened by the news that her local bank has become a trendy wine bar.

The East Wittering branch served the village for 20 years, looking after 4,200 residents, many of whom have accused NatWest bosses of being hypocritical.

Debbie Rampton, manager of the Spar convenience store in West Wittering, said: "It was annoying when they closed the branch. I used to do my banking there and now I have to go into Chichester twice a week.

"Although I think the village could do with a restaurant or bar for young people, it is a bit hypocritical of the bank to do this at the same time as putting the advert out.

"It's probably a bit selfish, but I'd rather they turned it back into a bank."

NatWest has claimed the branch was sold before it promised not to close any more branches after the takeover by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

A spokesman said: "Our advertising campaign refers to how we are looking for alternatives to our previous programme of closures.

"The branch in question was sold before the takeover but our policies have changed since then."

During the past three years, ten branches have been closed, leaving a total of 62 in the whole of Sussex.

Axed branches include one in Montague Street, Worthing, which is now a coffee shop and another in North Street, Brighton, which has been transformed into a bar and restaurant.

Many banks claim they have been forced to close branches through lack of use, due to customers preferring to use telephone and internet banking.

Nick Cheshire and Matty McKenzie-Hill, owners of El Banco, are confident it will be a success.

Mr Cheshire said: "The bank has been closed for the past three years. A lot of people were complaining because the building was sitting there, not being used for anything and turning into an eyesore.

"We have had a positive response from people who are delighted that something is finally being done with it.

"We are smartening it up and provide a new facility that will be open to people of all ages. It will also produce ten jobs locally.

"I cannot comment on any advertising campaigns by NatWest.

"As far as I'm concerned, this is a new and interesting venture that is putting a disused building to good use. It will be a boost for the area.

"We are looking forward to the opening."

Building work is expected to start in January and opening is scheduled for the end of March.