Santander has announced it will be closing over 20 branches this month in a huge blow to the UK high street. The first wave of Santander's closures is under way, after the bank announced in March of this year that it would be shutting at least 95 high street branches nationwide.

A statement on its website said: "We last did a major review of our branches in 2021. Since then, many of our customers are choosing to use Mobile, Online and Telephone Banking more, and branches less." Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "Physical spaces – whether a bank or building society branch, Banking Hub, or alternative suitable provision – must continue to exist so people can still carry out face-to-face tasks.

"The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to manage their money and maintain their independence."

Over the past few years, bank and building society branches have been disappearing from our high streets at a frightening pace.

Other major banks, including Lloyds, NatWest, and Halifax, are also closing UK branches over the coming days and weeks.

Santander itself is closing 23 branches in June alone.

Full list of Santander branches closing in June:

Aberdare - June 24

Blackwood - June 23

Brecon - June 25

Clacton - June 16

Cleveleys - June 23

Croydon 128 NE - June 16

Dungannon - June 23

Eltham - June 23

Fleet - June 30

Gateshead Metro - June 16

Glasgow LDHQ - June 24

Glasgow MX - June 23

Greenford - June 24

Kidderminster - June 18

Kilburn - June 17

Launceston - June 16

Louth - June 17

Magherafelt - June 24

Musselburgh - June 30

Peterhead - June 16

Portadown - June 30

Swandlincote - June 30

Torquay - June 17