Closure is another kick in the teeth to towns

Banks play vital roles in local communitiues, but it would appear some are choosing to ignore the responsibility they have.

The RBS in Burnside will be the fourth bank to close in Rutherglen and Cambuslang in little over a year when its doors close for the last time in October.

Once again, they have blamed the increase in digital banking, but the question remains where that leaves those residents who still prefer to do their banking elsewhere.

It is not yet a decade since RBS was bailed out by the tax payer to the tune of a cool £45 billion. Since then, the bank has shown its gratitude by closing local branches, leaving many members of the community isolated and unsure of what to do.

Of course, this all comes with a backdrop of £7bn losses last year taking their total losses to £58bn since 2008.

It is little wonder confidence in the bank is at an all time low. Turn to pages six and seven for our special report on the Burnside closure.

Last week also brought a timely reminder of the dangers we in the Uk face in terms of terrorism.

Much has been written about the attack on Westminster in the name of a warped verision of Islam so I will not go into detail, but there is local reaction from the Minhaj ul Quran centre in Rutherglen on page five.

It was a stunning weekend and I’m sure many of you, like myself, will have enjoyed the early summer sun. Check out pages 26 and 27 for our fantastic pictures from the Friends of Overtoun Park Sports Day.

And if you’re now thinking about summer fashion, our style columnist Danielle Jean is back with all her tips on page 31.