STAFF and management of Lloyds TSB turned a new page in the history of banking in Wisbech when they opened their newly refurbished premises in North Brink. The merger of their two Wisbech branches saw the end of banking at the Old Market branch, which shu

STAFF and management of Lloyds TSB turned a new page in the history of banking in Wisbech when they opened their newly refurbished premises in North Brink.

The merger of their two Wisbech branches saw the end of banking at the Old Market branch, which shut its doors to trade for the final time on Friday after more than 40 years.

All business has been transferred to the revamped North Brink branch, opened on Monday by Ray Johnson, president of Wisbech Chamber of Commerce.

Alan McDonald, manager of the Lloyds TSB banks in Wisbech for 14 years, said: "The staff are all excited about the future and the newly refurbished branch at the North Brink will now proudly serve the Wisbech public.

"Our facilities are first class and we look forward to welcoming all of our customers to their new flagship branch."

The Old Market branch has been the home of the Trustee Savings Bank since February 1956, which was opened when Wisbech was one of the wealthiest places in the country.

It was built on the site of the Octagon Church, which campaigners failed to save from demolition, to cope with the expansion of business during the previous 21 years.

The first account was opened at their premises in Nene Quay in 1935 and by the time the new branch was opened that number had risen to 28,000 accounts, with a staggering four million pounds to depositors' credit.

The new facilities offered four tills instead of two following the bank's success during the years of the Second World War, when wartime savings campaigns were in full swing.

But its closure was confirmed in July, when a Lloyds TSB spokesman said it will be put up for sale.