PEOPLE have reacted with “shock and disappointment” after it was revealed that a number of RBS branches in Bolton are to close.

Four local branches are set to go — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, Horwich, Farnworth as well as the Walkden branch in Salford.

Hilary Fairclough, ward councillor for Astley Bridge, said she was “shocked” by Tuesday’s announcement.

She said she is looking to speak with a representative of RBS to find out why her ward’s branch has been marked for closure.

Cllr Fairclough, said: “I was quite shocked to find it was closing. It’s been there a very long time and I think originally it was a Williams & Glyn.

“It’s been a very, very busy branch and it does a lot of commercial banking from local businesses. I would have liked some consultation or notice from the company to gauge what our feelings are.”

Cllr Fairclough said the RBS decision was unfair to customers and staff.

She added: “They have handled it very poorly. I wonder if that’s because they don’t have concern for customers or staff.”

The town mayor of Horwich, Cllr Steve Rock, said: “It’s incredibly disappointing to hear the news that yet another bank is set to close its doors here in Horwich.

“This is going to result in several job losses and leave thousands of residents with little choice but to travel into Bolton to access banking facilities. I do hope that the branch can be saved, although the closure of Barclays leaves me with little hope that the RBS will call off the closure.”

For people in Horwich it will be the second bank to go this year, after the Barclays branch in Winter Hey Lane closed on Friday, April 20.

The Farnworth branch will shut its doors for the final time on August 6, before the Horwich branch closes on August 13, while Chorley Old Road branch close on November 1, Astley Bridge on November 13, and Walkden on November 27.

The RBS branches in Bolton town centre and Harwood are not included in the list.