NATWEST Bank has removed its presence in Ashburton's East Street – and left an ugly slab of concrete in place of its defunct ATM machine on the Grade II listed granite building.

The bank ceased trading in the Dartmoor town and applied for planning permission and advice from the Dartmoor National Park Authority to remove the ATM, night safe and branded signs from the building – after it had already carried out the work.

Ashburton town councillors expressed disgust at the bank's actions at their full council meeting in the town hall on Tuesday.