MP ANNE Marie Morris has raised the issue of free cash machines in Dawlish with senior banking figures.

And she is calling for a ‘much-needed’ banking hub in the town which has had no high street bank for some years.

Following the announcement Lloyds is to close its branch in neighbouring Teignmouth, Dawlish customers are facing even further to travel to access banking facilities.

But Ms Morris expressed her concern that previously free to use ATMs were now charging.

She told official from the Financial Conduct Authority at a meeting in Parliament: ‘There is a particular issue in Dawlish with converting free to use ATMs to a fee-based system.

‘Having spoken to providers, the challenge seems to be that free access to cash depends on the willingness of banks to pay the charging fee.

‘In Dawlish, the bank is not prepared to pay it so a charge will be levied for customers when they use these particular ATMs.

‘In terms of ATM delivery, there is beginning to be a picture whereby in some convenience stores and small rural areas where they are most needed, they are moving to fee-based ATMs.

‘Larger supermarkets will remain free as they clearly see that is a commercial asset and they bare prepared to pay the charges.’

The FCA told Ms Morris that there should be less of the fee-based ATMs in future.

After the meeting, Ms Morris said: ‘I asked senior FCA officials today about access to cash and banking services, particularly in Dawlish.

‘We need guaranteed access to free-to-use ATMs and to banking services in all our towns.

‘I am very pleased to say that the FCA also agreed to look again at providing a much-needed banking hub in Dawlish.’