A LARGS pensioner says she is one of scores of people who feel 'let down' by Clydesdale Bank bosses amid plans to shut the local branch.

Frances Ward, 82, says the news is 'desperately sad' for the town centre and has left many fellow senior citizens fearful about how they will do their banking.

Frances has been a customer with the Clydesdale for 40 years and feels angry at the loss of the 'personal touch' offered by staff.

Frances' son Les, who runs Wards of Largs, said: "My mother has taken the news very badly.

"She opened up her account with the Clydesdale 40 years ago in Kilwinning and has had an association with the bank ever since. The staff have been great with her.

"She was crying - it is an emotional attachment and people don't understand why it is happening.

"When you are 82, you trust the staff and that trust is being lost in the community which is very sad."

Frances said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. I am absolutely disgusted.

"I believe the staff were also shocked that there is just no interest in keeping the branch open.

"I have been in Largs for around 40 years easily and a regular customer at Clydebank and for people like me, internet banking is just not an option.

"We want a face to face service."

A spokesperson for Clydesdale Bank said: “Closing a branch is never an easy decision and a number of factors are taking into consideration when reviewing the network. In Largs, transactions are down 40 per cent in the last four years, while digital adoption rates have increased significantly.

"Mobile usage has increased locally by 27.2 per cent in last nine months as customers are choosing to bank with us if a different way.”

CYBG, the owner of Clydesdale Bank, has announced plans to close five branches in Scotland including Largs

Fergus Murphy, group retail director at CYBG, said: “Announcing plans to close branches is never easy and it’s not a decision we take lightly.

"A number of factors are taken into consideration when reviewing our network, including branch usage, footfall and customer behaviour.

"Each branch is also assessed on an individual basis, carefully considering the impact on the local area, as well as alternative options."