The Royal Bank of Scotland in West Kilbride is closing after operating in the town for 137 years.

The loss of the RBS means there will no longer be a bank in the town after the Clydesdale Bank closed its doors a number of years ago.

The move has sparked an angry response from independent councillor Elizabeth McLardy.

She said: “I think this is going to cause an uproar - that is West Kilbride left with no bank at all.

“We had three banks in the past, and for a place the size of West Kilbride (population around 7,000) this is a devastating blow, specially for traders and older people. We will need to get our thinking cap on and see what we can do about this.

“I remember the bank used to be at the top end of the town, before it moved to the bottom end, where it is now. I am amazed that the bank has been in the town for 137 years.

“It will be a real void in the village; the closure will have a drastic effect. Businesses won’t get a chance to hand in their takings.” A spokesman for the RBS said: “We have taken the difficult decision to close the RBS West Kilbride branch on the 27 October. We are working hard to ensure there are a number of alternative ways for people in the area to continue to bank with us.

RBS are introducing a mobile branch service to the community and will be ‘engaging with customers and the local community to understand the best day and time for the mobile branch to visit’.