PRESTONPANS' branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland will shut its doors later this summer.

The bank, on the town's Ayres Wynd, off High Street, will close on August 9, leaving customers with a trip to Tranent or Musselburgh for their nearest branch.

None of the bank's other branches in East Lothian are to shut under the current round of closures.

A spokesman for RBS described the move as a “difficult decision” and said: “We’re closing this branch because the number of transactions at the branch has reduced by 22 per cent since 2011.

“We are committed to following the UK Government protocol on branch closures, and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors, including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.

“Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank, such as online and mobile banking.

“As a result, branch transactions have declined by around 46 per cent since 2010, whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 400 per cent.

“Only nine per cent of their total transactions are now undertaken in branches in comparison to 25 per cent in 2010.”

RBS intends to keep an ATM in the area and has reached an agreement with the town's Post Office so that customers can pay money in, take money out, check balances and business customers can get coinage.

The spokesman added: “We are writing to our customers who use the branch, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure.

“Between now and the closure date, we will engage with our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”