High street bank TSB has announced 250 job losses and the closure of 36 branches.

The job cuts will be in the fraud operations department of the bank, central operations and staff who work at the branches earmarked for closure. Trade union Unite said the decision was a "grave mistake" and customers would "undoubtedly suffer a downgrade in service from these job cuts".

Money latest: Tea brand spends £12m on ad but poll suggests Britons prefer rival The latest round of branch closures will start in September, and continue through to May next year. TSB will have 175 branches across the UK after the latest round of closures.

Ten branches have already been closed over the last year. The branches to be closed in September are in:AlloaBedworthBirmingham, Pype HayesBridlingtonBuxtonCarmarthenCwmbranDovercourtEdinburgh, LeithFelixstoweFromeGlasgow, CardonaldGlasgow, CastlemilkHaddingtonHounslowLerwickLevenLondon, Bethnal GreenLondon, ClaphamLongtonManchester, MiddletonNewcastle upon TynePeterheadSheernessStornowayTorquayWhitehaven The branches due to be closed in May 2025 are in:AmbleAylshamBanffBedlingtonBudeCrookFlintTenbury WellsWhitchurch The closures come as the lender said most account holders do their banking online and there is a need to "better balance" staff in face-to-face and digital roles.

Read more business news:Brewdog boss calls time on 17 years in chargeHow Russian oil is still powering cars and planes in Britain A TSB spokesperson said it is making the changes "to remain competitive" and "to simplify the way we operate". "Our priority is to consult with impacted colleagues to ensure they're fully supported, maximising redeployment opportunities where we can," the spokesperson added.

"We remain committed to a national branch network and through innovation and integration with video, telephone, digital, branch and other face-to-face services TSB customers have more ways to bank with us than ever before." The workers who are due to lose their jobs "perform essential work in the fraud departments and across the branch network.