A PETITION has been created in the wake of the RBS closure in Troon.

Labour candidate, Philip Saxton, has started a petition on the website, change.org, in a bid to urge the Economic Secretary to prevent the closure of the RBS branch in Troon.

The Troon Times previously reported that RBS claimed that shopping and booking a holiday online has become the norm for many; banking is no different and many of their customers are looking for and using more convenient ways to bank.

A spokesman for RBS said: "The way people choose to bank with us has changed radically over the last few years.

"Since 2011 we have seen the number of transactions in the Girvan branch decline by 17 per cent, 32 per cent in Prestwick and 34 per cent in Troon. 

"These customers are actively choosing to bank in different ways, with 52 per cent of customers choosing to use our digital banking options."

Stating on the petition, Mr Saxton, said: "The RBS is 73 per cent owned by the taxpayers and we urge the Economic Secretary to intervene and ask the board of the RBS to consider the impact of the people of Troon, particularly the elderly population, and people living in Troon who do not have the facilities to internet bank and need this service.

"We also ask that consultation should take place with customers prior to any further decisions are made."

The petition already holds 27 supporters since going live last Thursday.
It needs 73 more signatures to reach 100 for it to be pitched to the UK Government.