THE Newport man who is fighting HSBC's decision to close a city branch has topped more than 2,000 signatures on his petition.

Eric Channing, 71, was so shocked at the bank's decision to close the Caerleon Road branch he took it upon himself to stand outside for several hours a day collecting signatures opposing the closure.

As reported previously in the Argus, Mr Channing and his wife Jean have been using the bank for 46 years and he has been an ever-present in the street since May 17, collecting signatures for five or six hours a day in a bid to get the bank to change its mind.

Mr Channing, of Merlin Crescent, has 2,474 signatures and said he will be there every day until the proposed closure date on June 17.

He said: "The response has been overwhelming, if the bank closes, business on Caerleon Road are worried about the effect it could have. I didn't expect such as response, I'm thrilled with it, it's giving me the encouragement to see it through to the end."

Despite Mr Channing's best efforts, the bank has not changed its position.

A spokesman for HSBC said a decision to close a branch is never taken lightly and is only done as a last resort, so the closing date is fixed.

He said the two members of staff who work at the bank will be moved to another branch and the reason for the closure was due to a fall in the number of people using it, combined with an increase in the number of people using telephone and internet banking.