A PETITION calling on the Royal Bank of Scotland to withdraw plans to close their Prestonpans branch has been launched.

East Lothian politicians have reacted strongly to the shock move to close the branch, leaving customers to travel to Musselburgh or Tranent for services.

Prestonpans and District Branch Labour Party, led by local councillor Willie Innes, launched the petition following the town Labour Club's annual general meeting.

Local MSP Iain Gray has tabled a motion at Holyrood against the closure plans, and County MP George Kerevan has written to Ross McEwan, RBS chief executive urging him to investigate the decision further.

Launching the petition, Councillor Willie Innes said: "Within hours of the announcement being made public, I had received dozens of messages from local residents concerned at the impact closing this branch will have on the town.  

"It will be detrimental to local RBS customers but also leaves Prestonpans without a single bank, something which until recently was not allowed to happen."

Iain Gray, East Lothian's MSP, said that until last year the banking industry had retained a pledge never to shut the 'last bank in town' but this had now been abandoned.

He said: "When the banking industry abandoned its ‘last bank in town’ pledge last year it meant that smaller branches would inevitably come under threat. It is bad news for RBS customers in Prestonpans, particularly businesses and those who are not using digital banking, but also for the whole town."

"I have tabled a motion in Parliament urging RBS to reconsider this decision and put the needs of its customers first. I’m also fully behind this petition and hope that anyone who wants the branch to remain open will support it."

George Kerevan, MP, said in a letter to Mr McEwan that the decision would have a 'major negative impact' on the local community.

He said: "East Lothian is slated to see 10,000 new homes built in the next ten years with most of the population increase situated in the western part of the county near Prestonpans.

"That suggests to me (as an economist) the bank is thinking short term and would be in a better position to take market share locally if it kept open the Prestonpans branch."

One of the first people to sign the petition was outgoing Prestonpans Labour Club President Harry Cairney.

Hard copies of the petition are available from Prestonpans Labour Club or email eastlothianlabour@btconnect.com to be sent copies.

There is also an online version of the petition at www.change.org/p/rbs-petition-against-the-closure-of-prestonpans-rbs-branch