CAMPAIGNERS fighting controversial plans to close a Silsden bank have won the backing of the town's MP.

Kris Hopkins has pledged to do what he can to reverse the decision to shut the NatWest outlet, in Kirkgate.

The company announced last month that the branch would close on November 18, due to falling levels of demand.

Mr Hopkins has written to Ross McEwan – chief executive of the RBS Group, which includes NatWest – to ask that the ruling be overturned.

And he has contacted Chancellor George Osborne to make him aware of the situation.

Two Silsden independent financial advisors had approached Mr Hopkins to voice concern and to ask him to intervene.

“Mr Hopkins said: "I think the decision is wrong. It is to the detriment of residents and businesses in Silsden that the town has been placed in this position."

John Lohan and Mark Waterhouse, directors of AireValley IFA, say the bank is the only one left in Silsden and should therefore be considered a "strategically vital asset" for the town.

NatWest said the number of transactions taking place at the Silsden branch had fallen by 23 per cent in recent years, with only 30 customers now using it on a weekly basis.

It added that a number of measures, including the free cash withdrawals and balance checks at the post office, were being introduced to ensure customers would still have access to banking in the area.