THE Harwood branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland is to close in January, it has been announced.

The Gatefold branch is one of 54 that will close across England and Wales, resulting in the loss of almost 260 jobs.

The branch’s closure will leave Bolton with just one RBS branch, in Deansgate.

Branches in Ramsbottom and Radcliffe are also among those set to close.

RBS, still 62 per cent owned by the taxpayer, said the move was linked to it not having to sell its Williams & Glyn business, and that it was seeking to reduce overlap in branches in close proximity to each other.

The latest closures come on top of 162 branch closures announced earlier this year, resulting in 792 job losses. Branches in Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, Walkden, Horwich, and Farnworth were among those named, with the latter two already having closed.

The latest set of closures have been criticised by unions, who have described the decision as a hammer blow to the disabled and elderly.

Rob MacGregor, of union Unite, said: "It is utterly disgusting that Royal Bank of Scotland has the audacity to announce that yet more important local bank branches will permanently close their doors.

"This announcement heaps further misery on communities across England and Wales that have already seen the demise of local banking services as branches that were signposted by the bank earlier in 2018 as an alternative for customers whose branches were closing, now suffering a similar fate.

"The disabled, elderly and many local businesses will today be deeply disappointed that their bank has chosen to withdraw from their community and no longer provide them with the access to banking services which we all deserve."

Full list of branches marked for closure in Greater Manchester and Cheshire:

Leigh - 30 January 2019

Manchester Droylsden - 30 January 2019

Radcliffe - 16 January 2019

Bolton Harwood - 23 January 2019

Altrincham - 17 January 2019

Romiley - 16 January 2019

Shaw - 28 January 2019

Atherton - 21 January 2019

Marple - 21 January 2019

Hazel Grove - 21 January 2019

Standish - 28 January 2019

Partington - 28 January 2019

Ramsbottom - 24 January 2019

Disley - 23 January 2019

Prestbury - 28 January 2019