NORTH Ayrshire and Arran MP, Patricia Gibson, met with Clydesdale Bank management at Westminster following the recent announcement to close its Beith and Saltcoats branches.

Mrs Gibson said: “Clydesdale Bank customers at these locations are having their accounts moved to Irvine and Paisley respectively, at great inconvenience. Kilwinning lost its branch in 2015.

“On behalf of my constituents and as SNP Consumer Affairs spokesperson, I met Clydesdale Bank management in the House of Commons to urge that the bank revisit this latest round of closures. Sadly the decision will not be rescinded. I asked the bank to at least put mobile banking in place to ensure their presence in each town and hope that this will be seriously considered. I remain deeply concerned about the withdrawal of banks from our high streets.

“From hearing first-hand the outcry regarding decisions to close local branches, it is apparent that banks are not listening to those most affected”