Customers with Lloyds Bank will be able to book appointments themselves online to see a member of staff in branch, with the launch of a new service.

People wanting a face-to-face chat about products such as savings, current accounts and mortgages can use the new "real time" online booking service using their tablet, laptop or mobile phone.

The service allows people to book a face-to-face appointment, amend an existing one and also to receive text and email reminders.

Appointments can be booked up to three weeks in advance and people will be able to choose from alternate branches and times if their local branch is busy at the time they want to speak to a member of staff.

Lloyds said the new service aims to save people time as well as avoiding the need for them to visit a branch to arrange an appointment.

Lloyds Banking Group has five million online banking customers and nearly 2.5 million people actively use its mobile banking service.