THE Royal Bank of Scotland have been urged to reconsider closing their Kilwinning branch in Scottish Parliament motion.

Green MSP Ross Greer submitted the plea at Holyrood last week, after the news that RBS planned to shut the Kilwinning branch - the last bank in the town - next year, along with branches in Kilbirnie and Saltcoats.

Residents and businesses will now need to take a trip into Irvine to access banking services.

Ross Greer’s motion calls on RBS to reconsider the decision to close the branches.

The MSP for the West of Scotland said: “These proposals will hit staff and customers hard and I’m calling on RBS to change their mind.

"Each one of these branches is a key part of their community, and the staff who work in the branches deserve peace of mind over the festive period.

"I’ve written to RBS with these concerns and hope that, in conjunction with staff and their unions they can work to find alternative solutions which protect local jobs and banking services.

“I’m especially concerned about the proposal for Kilwinning, as RBS is the last remaining bank in the town.

"A number of residents – some of them who were Clydesdale customers who switched to RBS so that they have a local bank – have contacted me with concerns about this. The post office and credit union are great, but if you want some services you’ll have to go to Irvine.

"Kilwinning town centre needs support – there are empty buildings in the centre of town but the council are still giving the go-ahead to more out of town development.”

The motion reads: "That the Parliament notes with concern the announcement that the Royal Bank of Scotland is to close three branches in North Ayrshire in June 2018; understands that these closures will be in Kilwinning, Kilbirnie and Saltcoats; further notes that this means the last bank branch in Kilwinning being closed down, after Clydesdale Bank closed in the town in 2015; believes that bank branches are a vital part of the fabric of the community of small towns, especially for people with limited mobility or no internet access, and that it is important that they are protected; asks the Royal Bank of Scotland to reconsider the decision to close these branches, and expresses solidarity with those whose jobs are under threat."