Protests over plans to close three banks in North Ayrshire will go ahead this weekend.

MSPs and MPs will be gathering as many signatures as possible in Kilwinning on Saturday morning ahead of a presentation of the petition to parliament.

Similar events will be held in Kilbirnie and Saltcoats, where other Royal Bank of Scotland branches are closing.

Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, has expressed her anger over the handling of the closures.

She said: "We've had three closures announced in this particular area and we now have six towns with no bank at all, and it's simply unacceptable.

"People are very angry because the taxpayer stepped up and bailed out RBS when it was in trouble, and let's not forget it was in trouble because of its own mismanagement and competence.

"RBS is repaying that support given by taxpayers by stampeding out of towns, and it's simply unacceptable."

The banks are swapping outlets for mobile replacements and RBS are offering help to customers with the transition.

An RBS spokesman said: "We know that not all of our customers are comfortable or familiar with using online or mobile banking so we have created a new specialist task force of RBS TechXperts who will be dedicated to supporting our customers with training and support with digital skills until the branches close.

"We are committed to ensuring our customers and communities are able to continue accessing quality banking services."