RBS is to roll out "talking" cash machines for blind and partially sighted customers across the UK as part of an upgrade to its ATM network.

Some 80% of the 4800 ATMs and in-branch cash and deposit machines branded with the name Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) or NatWest will be speech-enabled over the next two years.

The upgrades will start early next year and should be completed by the end of 2015, meaning people will be able to plug earphones into the machines to be verbally guided through their transactions.

RBS and NatWest have been working closely with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on the plans. The upgrades aim to help anyone who prefers information through speech.

RNIB CEO Lesley-Anne Alexander, said she was delighted with the announcement and called for more banks to follow suit.