THE Farnworth branch of RBS is slashing its hours and opening times from five days a week to three from June 5.

The RBS, 104 Market Street branch will be closed to customers on Wednesday and Thursday and open on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, from 10am to 4pm, cutting its opening hours from 37 hours to 18.

An RBS spokesman said: "We are committed to following the UK Government protocol on significant opening hour changes, and we have made these decisions following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.

"We will be writing to our customers who use the branch in advance of the changes to opening hours and we will also display posters in the branch in the run up to the changes.

"Between now and the 05 June, we will engage with our customers, local businesses and the local community to make sure they are aware of the changes we are making and the alternative ways in which they can access banking services as well as to answer any questions."

RBS says there will continue to be a number of alternative ways for people to bank with including:

nATMs: Our cash machine availability will remain the same, for customers to get cash and check their balance free of charge.

nOther branches: Nearest branch, Bolton Central is three miles away.

nPost Office: We have reached an agreement with the local Post Office, which is 0.4 miles away from the branch so that our customers can pay money in, take money out, check their balance and get business coinage. There are 10 Post Offices within a three-mile radius of the branch.

The spokesman added: "We know that not all of our customers are comfortable or familiar with using online or mobile banking, so we have provided focused training for our branch teams who will support our customers with digital skills coaching."