Banks is the largest village in the parish of North Meols on the West Lancashire coastal plain.

Banks is believed to have been named for the many artificial embankments built in the north of the village to protect it from winter floods from the River Ribble and the tide.

Dating from before the Norman Conquest of 1066, this area of small farming and fishing villages was originally known as Otegrimeles, from the Norse word melr, meaning sand dunes.

Historically, North Meols centred on St. Cuthbert's Church in Churchtown, although there were vicarages in Crossens, Banks and Birkdale.

This left a legacy of fine agricultural soil, which continues to be exploited – the primary industry in the area is farming, especially of flowers and vegetables.

Low passenger numbers led to the railway's decline and its closure was assured by the Beeching Axe on 7 September 1964.

The stone bridge supports that carried the track across the sluice ditches in Banks can still be seen and the station platform still exists.

The hall had approximately 55 rooms, open areas situated on the ground, first, second and attic floors and a vast basement.

Situated on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain, most of the village is only slightly above sea level and parts can be susceptible to flooding.

There are embankments to the north of the village and there are drainage systems across the area, most notably the pumping station on Banks Road, Crossens.

Far Banks is the east side of the village from Smithy Corner to the border with Hundred End and Tarleton.

Banks Marsh forms the largest area of marshland within the Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve.

Management of the site involves grazing the salt marsh with cattle to maintain the short sward on which wintering wildfowl (especially Eurasian wigeon and the pink-footed goose) depend.

Wildfowling takes place on much of the reserve and improved management has contributed to the increase in the number of birds visiting the site.

A group of volunteers led by the local Wildfowlers Association carries out much of the valuable maintenance work on the reserve.

It supports over a quarter of a million waders and wildfowl each winter, and is an internationally important site for twenty species of birds.

[7] Banks is part of the Southport parliamentary constituency and is represented by the Labour Member of Parliament Patrick Hurley.

Even though modern Banks is primarily a commuter village for Southport, Liverpool and Preston, there is farming activity which has been the core of the community for hundreds of years.

Healthcare facilities include the North Meols Medical Centre on Church Road, a doctor's surgery and a pharmacy.

The village has regular bus services linking it with Southport, Formby, Crosby, Bootle, Liverpool and Preston.

[citation needed] Sugar Stubbs Lane is situated in Far Banks down the A565 road towards Mere Brow.

[citation needed] Once a year (usually in late October) Banks Methodist Primary School holds a scarecrow competition to celebrate Halloween.

It was started in 2007 and it involves people (mainly children) making scarecrows in their gardens for a week before the judging begins at the school.

[citation needed] The marshland which lies on the coast of the Ribble estuary is highly regarded for bird watching and attracts many visitors.

[citation needed] There are footpaths across the village including the old railway line from Southport New Road to Rydings Lane in Far Banks.

[13] The Sluice, sometimes called the River Crossens and the Back Drain flow through Banks and are popular with anglers.

Banks received the local radio station called Dune FM closed down in 2012, which was based in Southport.

Elsewhere in the village, new homes by the Redrow group were built in 2014 on Guinea Hall Lane and also a small estate opposite Aveling Drive (formerly a horse paddock).

A care home, Sutton Grange completed in late summer 2014, as well as a brain injury and learning facility were constructed off Greaves Hall Lane completed shortly later as well as some shared ownership properties and rental properties by the Local Council opposite the Care Home.

[needs update] The area floods during long, heavy spells of rain, due to extra surface water from poor drainage.