PLANS have been lodged to remove two ATMs from a closure-threatened bank in Helensburgh.

As previously reported, the NatWest group announced on April 17 that the Helensburgh branch is one of 18 RBS sites across Scotland which will shut by September.

The Colquhoun Square branch is set to close its doors for the final time on September 25.

Now, the banking organisation has submitted an application to Argyll and Bute Council to remove two ATMS, a night safe bezel and signage attached to the building.

READ MORE: Petition goes live as Helensburgh steps up its efforts to save town's RBS branch

A design access and heritage statement, which can be publicly viewed on the local authority's planning portal online, states that the work will not affect the condition of the building.

It states: "The scope of removal work to the building will be minimal and will not affect the condition of the building. Removals will cause no harm or loss to the original building.

"It is worth noting that these proposals do not damage the character and appearance of the bank within the Conservation Area."

A petition has been launched in a bid to save the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland branch.

Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) asked fellow elected members to support efforts to save the facility at an emergency full council meeting days later.

She called for the council's leader, Jim Lynch, to write to the bank’s management expressing concern.

Cllr Howard's plea was unanimously backed by the area's councillors.

READ NEXT: Argyll and Bute's councillors back bid to save RBS in Helensburgh from the axe

The 'Stop RBS - Save Our Bank' petition was officially launched at the 'Market in the Square' event in Helensburgh on Saturday, April 27.

If the RBS branch does close, it will be the third physical branch in Helensburgh to shut in the last five years, following the loss of the Santander and TSB facilities in West and East Princes Street respectively.

Closure would leave the town with just one remaining bank branch, the Bank of Scotland on the north side of Colquhoun Square.

To view the planning application online visit Argyll and Bute Council's planning portal at publicaccess.argyll-bute.gov.uk and search 24/00797/PP.