A politician has called for two towns in Powys to be given banking hubs after new rules came into force.

Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells might be eligible for a banking hub by LINK after new 'Access to Cash' rules came into force last week.

Both towns have previously been rejected for a banking hub as they did not meet the necessary criteria.

However, the new 'Access to Cash' rules recently introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority mean that Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells are now eligible – and MS James Evans has said that both towns should urgently be given hubs to allow local people to access their cash.

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A banking hub is a shared banking service that is set up in towns where all banks have closed.

Mr Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: "It is shocking that we have no banks in thriving towns like Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells.

"I have submitted requests to ask that both towns be reassessed for banking hubs after the introduction of new 'Access to Cash' rules by the FCA.

"Whilst many services can be undertaken at the post office, we are seeing queues through the door and cash points running out of money.

"We must protect the vulnerable and older residents, who for a variety of reasons cannot switch to online banking.

"High street banks have a responsibility to look after their customers and I will be doing all I can to get a banking hub in these towns.

"At the very least, we need faster banking services in our post offices to cope with the significantly increased customer footfall they are now seeing because of the closures."

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Welshpool became one of the first towns in Wales to receive a banking hub last year when its new site opened following a series of closures in the town.

Since then, banks have operated one day a week each from the shared space in Broad Street.

However, the hub has also received some criticism from local people who have been left frustrated that it is not accessible for wheelchair users, and calls have been made for urgent amendments to the building.