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 and to seek his views.

Two Silsden independent financial advisors had approached Mr Hopkins to voice their concerns over the closure and to ask him to intervene.

“I certainly share the concerns that have been expressed to me," said Mr Hopkins.

"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.

"Having a high street bank presence is essential to support local business and enterprise and is a crucial part of decision-making for new start-up businesses," they said.

"This closure will damage the future prosperity of Silsden businesses and deliver a major inconvenience to many residents – especially those for whom travel is difficult, such as some pensioners, those on low incomes and residents with disabilities."

The duo also questions NatWest advice that customers will be able to use the town's post office to pay bills, withdraw cash and check account balances.

"The post office does a good job with regards to basic banking but it does a great deal besides and we predict that this decision will lead to large queues on a regular basis and consequently a lot of inconvenience for everyone in Silsden," they said.

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.