The axe is to fall on an East Renfrewshire bank as part of a review of services by Spanish firm Santander.

It has been announced that the Clarkston branch is one of 10 in Scotland that are to close.

Santander bosses have said the decision has been made as a growing number of customers change the way they choose to bank, with many people using phones, tablets and computers rather than visiting a branch.

However, there are concerns the closure of the Busby Road branch on June 28 will have a negative impact on those who do not do their banking online, with some small businesses also set to suffer.

Councillor Stewart Miller, who represents Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood, said: “This will have the same impact as when other stores and banks have closed here – and it is certainly not good.

“This Santander branch is a town centre staple and has been a bank for a long time, so it will be missed.

“There is also a concern about people’s jobs and whether they will be moved elsewhere. This is a big loss to the community.”

Santander has said the Clarkston branch is being used significantly less than those in Newton Mearns and East Kilbride.

The firm added that 90 per cent of its customers in Clarkston already use online banking to supplement their visits to the branch.

A Santander spokesperson said: “The way customers choose to bank with us is constantly changing, so we regularly review our branch network to make sure it is meeting local customers’ needs.

“Sometimes this means making difficult decisions over our less utilised branches, particularly in locations where we have other branches in close proximity.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and follows a thorough examination of local trends in customer behaviour, branch and digital channel usage and alternative options available to our customers.”