A PETITION has been presented to Parliament asking for a rethink over NatWest bank closures which are due to go ahead this summer.

Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith has presented the petition, over the loss of branches in both those towns, though another is also due to go in Hoyland.

The 1,400 name petition was gathered in Penistone and Stocksbridge by those fighting the closures, which were announced late last year.

However, Royal Bank of Scotland - NatWest’s parent company - has already told councillors in the area there is no prospect of the decision being overturned.

When the closures go ahead, it will leave only one bank branch in Mrs Smtih’s constituency.

She said: “The news that RBS had decided to close its Nat West branches in Penistone and Stocksbridge is devastating for both towns and will mean both will no longer have any banking services at all.

“It’s quite clear from the number of signatures that have been collected that local people believe this is a poor decision by RBS and that they want it reversed.

“I was more than pleased to have received this petition and was proud to present it to the House of Commons.

“I hope RBS will now start to listen to local opinion and change its mind on these closures. I also hope government will respond positively to this petition by intervening to negotiate a stop to these closures before it is too late.”