Lloyds Banking Group will axe almost 1,000 jobs and close three offices in a "devastating" blow to workers, staff union Accord has announced.

Accord said sites in Romford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Scunthorpe will close, removing almost 1,000 posts from Lloyds Banking Group, which is 40.2% owned by the taxpayer.

More than 30,000 jobs have now been lost over the past three years at Lloyds.

Accord general secretary Ged Nichols said: "Today's confirmation that Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) is to shed nearly 1,000 more jobs on top of the 30,000 that have been lost since the Halifax Bank of Scotland Group was taken over just three years ago is devastating news for the employees who will be affected and the communities in which they live.

"Newcastle, Romford and Scunthorpe are areas that cannot afford to lose the high-quality jobs that will go as a result of today's announcement.

"Whilst Accord has informed LBG that it must do everything possible to avoid compulsory redundancies and work with us to provide support and guidance to those affected, the truth is that even those who volunteer to go will find it difficult to find alternative employment in these difficult economic times."

David Fleming, national officer of Unite, said: "The announcement that Lloyds Banking Group is today to cut nearly 1,000 jobs will be devastating for the workforce. Already some 28,000 employees have lost their jobs as a result of the past poor management decisions at the top of this organisation. Now staff across the LBG insurance, human resources, wholesale, retail and group operations will face uncertain future.

"Unite believes that this announcement is inappropriate as the full requirement of the group's divestment is unknown. Unite will be holding discussions with the bank, with the objective of minimising the need for job cuts following this further restructuring. The organisation must do more to offer redeployment opportunities to their workers."