Asda has announced that it will be teaming up with Barclays bank to open eight trial branches in its supermarkets over the coming year.

The trial will begin with the launch of four Barclays branches within existing stores in February 2014. The first branch will be opened in Birchwood in Cheshire and will then be followed by branches in Pudsey, North Watford and Broadstairs. The final aim will be to extend the pilot to a total of eight Asda stores.

Karen Hubbard, executive director for property and multi-channel at Asda said: "This is the next step in the evolution of how we continue to make our stores relevant to our customers’ every day needs, giving them access to banking services to use at their convenience – when they want, and how they want it.

“Access to banking services is an under-rated but important asset to any community but in many areas, these services just aren’t available to families. In partnership with Barclays, we’ll trial banking services in our stores for the communities which need it the most.”

The branches will be open seven days a week with services available throughout the stores’ opening hours and will be available to all new and existing Barclays customers.