Swindon South’s newly elected MP has visited Nationwide’s Regent Street branch to find out about the building society's new, free dementia clinic.

Heidi Alexander learnt about the clinic that helps those affected by the country’s leading cause of death.

She met with senior branch manager, Peter Souster, and admiral nurse, Sarah Merrill, to see first hand how the team supports the community.

With around one million people suffering from dementia in the UK, a that number projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040, Mr Souster encourages anyone affected by the condition, including family members and friends, to book an appointment.

Slots are still available for the next clinic, which is available to non-Nationwide customers, on September 10-12.

The programme is currently in a pilot phase across Wiltshire and will gradually roll out to 200 of Nationwide’s branches from next month.

The service could help more than 100,000 people living with dementia, bringing specialist health support to the high street.

In-branch dementia services include health advice and financial support which covers guidance on how to care for someone with dementia, as well as legal issues and emotional support.

Ms Merrill, who ran the first Swindon branch clinic, said: "By basing admiral nurses [the name given to Dementia UK's nurses] in Nationwide branches, we’re able to offer specialist, tailored care and support on all aspects of dementia, as well as helping people find other local services for people living with dementia.

“Heidi’s support for this initiative will help us reach more local people through our clinics and enable us to deliver the support admiral nurses offer to as many families in Wiltshire as possible."

This is the first time a major UK financial firm is providing face-to-face dementia clinics in their branches.

It forms part of Nationwide's new social impact programme - Nationwide Fairer Futures.

This initiative is aiming to tackle three of the country's biggest social issues through charity partnerships - dementia, supported by Dementia UK, youth homelessness, working with Centrepoint, and family poverty, with the support of Action for Children.

Mr Souster said: "We have had such a positive response to our first week of dementia clinics here in Regent Street and it was great to welcome Heidi Alexander MP into the branch to learn more.

"I know the team are looking forward to welcoming more people for clinics in September and beyond.”