THE regional manager of RBS/NatWest has agreed to attend a public meeting in South Petherton to discuss the planned closure of its town branch with residents and businesses.

The move follows a meeting Yeovil MP David Laws had with representatives from the bank, including branch and private banking managing director Jane Howard.

Mr Laws argued for the branch to be kept open and outlined the concerns expressed by local residents and businesses over the decision.

He asked Ms Howard and her colleagues to consider the impact the recent closure of the Martock branch has had and to look at the branch transaction figures in South Petherton since the Martock closure.

Mr Laws said: “It was important that I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from RBS/NatWest and put our case in person.

“I asked Jane Howard and her colleagues to look at the impact the closure of the branch in Martock has had on people in the local area.

“They closed that branch very recently and many people were told at the time that they could use the South Petherton branch.

"I asked RBS to consider holding off on the closure, at least until they have looked closely at the recent transaction figures and really considered how many people rely on the services this branch offers.

“I am really pleased that Ian Glover, the RBS regional manager, has agreed to attend a public meeting in South Petherton and listen to the concerns residents and businesses have.

“This meeting will be fixed in the next few days and as soon as a date is confirmed we will let people know.”

South Petherton residents last month presented a 900-signature petition to Mr Laws calling for the branch to be kept open.