The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are being urged to improve the accessibility of their mobile banking vans.

With the branches in Cumnock and Mauchline due to close, MSP Jeane Freeman is calling on the bank to consider taking inspiration from East Ayrshire Leisure Trust’s new mobile libraries.

The trust unveiled the fully wheelchair accessible vans this month while RBS customers with mobility problems in Dalmellington still have to do their banking from the car park.

Ms Freeman said: “It is almost a year since I first met with RBS to raise the issue of accessibility, but so far they have failed to make any positive steps towards improving their service. Not everyone wants to, or can use either telephone or internet banking which seems to be the only so called solution RBS are willing to offer.

“East Ayrshire Leisure Trust’s investment in these accessible vehicles is excellent but it does raise the serious question why the tax payer backed Royal Bank of Scotland can’t offer a similar vehicle.

“RBS’s failure to act has quite simply been disgraceful. So come on RBS, what’s your excuse now?”

East Ayrshire Leisure Trust’s new low floor Fiat Ducato based libraries allow easy access for wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility.

As well as many community stops, the vans will also visit primary schools and early childhood centres offering an improved and extended service to current and new users in East Ayrshire.