AN MSP is pleading with Lloyds Banking Group to reverse their decision to close the Dalmuir branch of the Bank of Scotland as part of a series of closures nationwide.

Branches under the Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds brands will be affected, including Dalmuir, one of 11 branches in Scotland which faces being axed.

It is understood 99 jobs will be lost in the closures, but it is not yet known how many jobs will be lost if the Dalmuir closure goes ahead.

MSP Gil Paterson has vowed to fight the closure and has penned a letter to Lloyds Banking Group about the planned axing of the Dalmuir Bank of Scotland branch. The Clydebank MSP has this week asked the bank to reverse the decision, saying the local branch is a “vital resource” to local people and businesses.

Mr Paterson said: “I have asked Lloyds Banking Group to reconsider the planned closure of the Bank of Scotland in Dalmuir. “This bank is an important local amenity for my constituents, many of whom still rely on the face-to-face service.

“This is especially the case for elderly, disabled or generally vulnerable constituents who do not access online banking.

“The closest bank would be more than two miles away, so the closure of this branch would have a major impact.

“The nature of banking is indeed changing but as we progress we cannot leave anyone behind, there is still a huge role face-to-face banking plays for many of my constituents.”

“I hope Lloyds Banking Group can reconsider closing its Dalmuir branch.”

The lender said the group was embarking on the closure programme partly in response to changing customer behaviour and the declining number of transactions being made in branches.

A Lloyds spokesman said: “Customers are increasingly choosing to use digital and mobile channels for their everyday banking needs.

“As a consequence, the number of customers visiting some of our branches has declined in recent years.

“In response to this, we have confirmed the locations of some branches which will close next year across Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.”

Lloyds insisted that branches remain a key part of the service it offers.

Earlier this year, the lender said it would shut down 100 branches as it swung the axe on 200 jobs.

But union Unite reacted with fury, saying the move undermined growth and would leave more communities without access to “valued local banking”.

Rob MacGregor, Unite national officer, said: “Lloyds Banking Group needs to halt this unnecessary bank branch closure programme.

“Local communities, such as Clydebank, are making it clear that the closure of their local branch excludes customers who cannot use digital means to conduct their financial transactions.

“Having returned to profitability Lloyds needs to stop ignoring its corporate social responsibilities.”

The bank unveiled a hefty rise in third-quarter profits last month as the once state-backed lender hailed a “strong financial performance”.

The company saw pre-tax profits more than double to £1.95 billion as chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio’s turnaround of the lender continues.

At the peak, Lloyds was 43 per cent owned by the state following its bailout during the banking crisis, after taxpayers were forced to inject £20.3 billion into rescuing the bank.

The group has also been dogged by PPI claims, having paid out more than £18 billion to date to affected customers.