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Newcastle Building Society is set to open a new branch to support its customers, "bucking the trend" of mass closures in recent months. The mutual announced it will open a new branch in Guisborough, North Yorkshire as part of its commitment to provide face-to-face financial services, increasing access within the communities it serves.

The Society says it is deeply concerned about the ongoing national trend of branch closures, warning that they are significantly reducing people's access to trusted, local financial services. Andrew Haigh, chief executive at Newcastle Building Society, said: "Communities deserve local, face-to-face service from their banks and building societies, and losing high street branches creates uncertainty and worry."

Its latest location will open at Westgate in Guisborough town centre, taking over the space from Yorkshire Building Society, which closed its branch earlier this year.

Mr Haigh added: "Customers tell us every day about how much they value being able to speak to someone in person about their money, how they are increasingly concerned about scams, and about the positive difference it makes being able to visit a local branch and talk to someone they know and trust.

"Of course, there's a role for technology and digital access to support and enhance the services we offer, but first and foremost, we believe that financial services is, and will continue to be, a people business.

"We're delighted to announce our plans to open a new branch in Guisborough, addressing the decline of financial services in the town.

"By moving quickly following the exit of the previous occupier, we'll deliver the guidance and support local people need, and bring high- quality jobs to Guisborough."

Since 2015, more than 6,600 bank branches have closed across the UK, forcing customers to travel further to get to their nearest branch and making it harder for some to manage their money.

Against this trend of closures, Newcastle Building Society said it has invested heavily in its branch network in recent years, opening new locations and modernising existing facilities.

New branches include the Society's flagship at Monument in Newcastle city centre, a new community partnership branch in North Shields - which shares space with local charity YMCA North Tyneside - and a new high street branch in Pickering, which opened shortly after the closure of the last bank in town.

Mr Haigh said: "Alongside our investment in digital services, we remain focused on our commitment to grow our branch network. Many people can't or don't want to bank solely online.

"Properly staffed branches where customers are served by people and not machines are vital to maintaining financial inclusion.

"Access to trained and friendly staff in welcoming branches enables people to make the right decisions and provides support at important moments in their lives, like dealing with a death in the family, planning for retirement, or saving for a first home."

The new Guisborough branch will offer a full range of counter services, supporting customers with savings, mortgages and financial guidance.

Further details about the branch opening and the local team will be shared in the coming weeks.