Jo Crowley MADRID/LONDON (Reuters) -Santander's plan to buy TSB for 2.65 billion pounds ($3.61 billion) and boost its position in the UK came together just a few weeks ago, after the Spanish bank had been weighing a possible exit from Britain,

People are fearing that more banks may close in Cambridgeshire as banking giant Santander is on the brink of buying rival TSB. Analysis of company data shows that there are at least 70 towns and city centres around the UK where both banks currently operate branches less than a mile apart.

The TSB brand could disappear from UK High Streets after the British bank's Spanish owner confirmed acceptance of a takeover by Santander. The £2.65bn deal still has to be agreed by the current owner Sabadell's shareholders,