MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition to save three North Ayrshire RBS branches earmarked for closure.

On Saturday morning, North Ayrshire & Arran MP, Patricia Gibson, was out last Saturday with local SNP councillors and activists asking local people to sign the Parliamentary Petition against the closure of the branches in Kilwinning, Saltcoats and Kilbirnie.

Patricia said: “The number of signatures gathered on a cold, wet and miserable day was astonishing and shows the anger and frustration local people feel at the decision.

“I have sought answers on this decision, writing to RBS Chief Executive Ross McEwan, lodging an Early Day Motion and I am tabling for a debate at Westminster, specifically on how North Ayrshire communities will be affected by these closures.

“I am hugely disappointed by the disregard shown to the people of North Ayrshire. RBS is letting down local communities and it is disgraceful that this bank, which is 72.9 per cent owned by taxpayers has failed to engage with its own customers, or consult with the communities they are purport to serve. If it was not for the taxpayer bailing them out, RBS would not even exist.

“These closures represent a serious loss of valuable local facilities that will penalise poor, elderly and disabled customers the most. In addition, many companies who bank with RBS as well as the Federation of Small Businesses insisted the closures would make it more difficult to run a business.

“The petition allows local people to demonstrate the sense of betrayal and abandonment felt by our communities, as well as voice their concerns over branch and job losses. It pushes for the UK Government to bring its influence to bear on this disgraceful situation and RBS boss Ross McEwan should be summoned by the Prime Minister and told that these closures are unacceptable.

“We will give people in the towns affected further opportunities to sign this petition over the coming weeks.”