David Ruffley today released a letter he has received following his letter to senior managers at Barclays Bank in the wake of concerns that their branch in Needham Market was under threat.

David said: 'I was dismayed to hear from local residents and traders that opening hours of the Barclays Branch in Needham Market were being cut. This led to justifiable fears that hours reduction was a prelude to full closure.

As a result, I wrote to the head of the bank in London demanding that he clarifies Barclays' intentions for Needham Market, the third largest town in my constituency. I take some comfort from their statement that I am releasing today that 'there are no plans to close this branch'. Nevertheless I am keeping an eagle eye on this in the coming months.'