In just a year the village of Nether Whitwipe on the edge of the Snipsdale forest has seen the closure of three pubs, the post office, the dry cleaners, the village school, a store where the old Woolworths was, a travel agent and a furriers - but now the community is faced with the threat of its local Barclays staying open.
"Cliche"
"This is the final straw, a stab in the back and the death knell for the community," sobbed one villager on hearing the news. "We're up in arms and at our wits end but we're determined to fight on."
Staff at the branch were too busy handling complaints to be interviewed but they issued this statement to villagers. "Remember your homes may be repossessed if you don't keep on paying us your money. Next please."
