AN MP has delivered a petition to bank bosses demanding that they rethink the closure of a town's last bank.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, handed the document, which has over 900 signatures, to senior management at Lloyds Bank.

Some of the bank's top brass have agreed to visit Upton tomorrow (May 18) to discuss the future of the town's branch.

Mrs Baldwin said: “There is clearly strong feeling in the town about this decision and I met with Lloyds to talk about the decision and I set out a number of key issues which I asked them to respond to.

"It is important that the bank hears how this will affect the town and its economy so I have invited local councillors and business representatives to the meeting and they will have a chance to address these.

"Ahead of the meeting, I am eager to hear from any local Lloyds customers who have points that they would like me to raise with the bank.”

Mrs Baldwin said she had previously been promised by the bank's chief executive that there were no plans to close the branch.

Annette Keyworth, chair of Upton Business Association, said: "Let's hope that we can keep it open, we need it.

"Hopefully the meeting will be successful. We have got up to a thousand signatures. I'm very pleased."

The Lloyds branch is the last bank in the town and local businesses use it for a variety of reasons, such as to access change.

Tomorrow's meeting in Upton will be attended by local councillors, business leaders and representatives of the town's Post Office.

Lloyds customers in Upton are being encouraged to get in touch with Mrs Baldwin so she can raise their concerns with bank bosses.

To contact the MP email harriett.baldwin.MP@parliament.uk or ring 01684 585165.