BARRHEAD'S MP has highlighted the closure of the town's Royal Bank of Scotland branch in parliament.

Kirsten Oswald took part in a debate on the closure of bank branches across the UK.

The debate took place less than a week after the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced that it would close its only Barrhead branch later this year.

The Cross Arthurlie Street service is set to shut its doors next month, along with the banks other East Renfrewshire branch in Netherlee.

This means RBS customers in Barrhead will need to travel to the centre of Paisley if they wish to visit a branch.

Speaking after her speech in the House of Commons, Kirsten said: ""I felt it was essential for me to speak in the debate on local bank closures. "Residents of East Renfrewshire are rightly concerned that banks are bailing out of local communities, making it difficult for local people and local businesses to access banking services.

"I know that the elderly and disabled are particularly badly affected by these closures.

"I have written to the banks in question urging them to reconsider and I wanted to further highlight my concerns."

Banks say dwindling footfall in branches is forcing the closures, with the vast majority of residents now choosing to do their banking online.

Kirsten continued: "The banks themselves seem reluctant to move on this, and the UK Government should heed the strong views expressed by MPs from all that more action is needed here. We cannot put up with a situation where banks say one thing and do another, all the while leaving their customers high and dry."

RBS was followed by TSB which announced the closure of its Newton Mearns branch.

Oswald has written to both banks asking them to reconsider the closures, and to provide information justifying their decisions, which have been taken without consulting local communities.