AN MP has made a last-ditch attempt to persuade bank chiefs to reverse a closure which will leave a town with no services.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson has written to Ross McEwan, chief executive of NatWest, asking him to intervene and put a stop to the Ferryhill branch closure planned for Monday, June 4.

Save for a Post Office which offers limited services, the closure will leave the town with no banking facility.

In his letter, Mr Wilson said: “While I understand the banking sector is changing to meet the demands of those who wish to use internet or telephone banking, this means those who cannot bank in such a manner are being left behind.

“I am concerned what will happen to my constituents who are in this situation.”

He adds that those wanting to use face-to-face banking services would have to travel seven miles to do so.

A petition set it up in response to a “great deal of anger” about the closure has garnered more than 1,000 signatures from members of the public opposing the closure.

Mr Wilson hopes to present the petition to the House of Commons this month.