The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is planning to sell its brand Williams & Glyn's to trim its market size in retail and commercial banking.

The brand, which disappeared from the high street 24 years ago following a European state aid probe, still exists as a separate legal entity that files accounts at Companies House.

Williams & Glyn's traces its origins back to 1753 and was the RBS branch network in England.

Stephen Hester, RBS chief executive, is examining plans to rename some of its branches as Williams & Glyn's before putting the revived business up for sale.

The move would support the European Commission's objective of creating a new competitor in British banking.

Neelie Kroes, competition commissioner, is forcing RBS and Lloyds Banking Group to sell parts of their businesses as a punishment for receiving state aid.