Barclays Bank could close more of its branches in Mid Sussex, the Argus can reveal.

The company closed down its branch in Lindfield at the end of last week, one of 171 axed across the country in a cost-cutting move brought on by the internet revolution.

Barclays today refused to rule out further closures in Mid Sussex, including its branch in Hassocks, sparking a furious response from people across the district. It said the branches that closed last week had become uneconomic, mainly because more people were banking by phone and on the internet.

Staff at the Keymer Road, Hassocks, branch have been giving leaflets to customers to encourage them to bank through the internet. A Barclays spokeswoman said: "If suddenly the customers that use that branch decide they are going to do most of their banking by phone or the internet, then it's very possible it will close."

Angry Mid Sussex Labour councillor Paddy Henry said: "It really is a poor show and not very reassuring at all. It will mean villages losing trade to towns which keep their banks.

"This internet business is all very well, but there are people, particularly elderly people, who are not on the internet. Barclays are pulling the rug from under their feet. I think they are driven completely by money. That seems to be the message that's coming across. They are not too fussed about their staff, their customers on anything except money."

Barclays made a record profit of £2.4 billion last year and paid chief executive Matthew Barrett £1.3 million for only three months in the job. Coun Henry said: "It seems he's getting massive bonuses for closing down the places. It's obscene."

A Barclays spokeswoman said: "It's impossible to predict what will happen in Mid Sussex or elsewhere. We can never say never and we review our services constantly, including our branch network."

Lib Dem councillor Tony Davies, who represents Keymer on Mid Sussex District Council, said Barclays had "no social conscience".

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