SOUTH Wales East AM, Mohammad Asghar, has added his signature to the petition to save a Newport branch of HSBC.

Mr Asghar put his name on the petition organised by Eric Channing, who is calling for the bank to reverse its decision to close the Caerleon Road branch on June 17.

Mr Asghar said: “Whilst I was chatting to Mr Channing, he surpassed 3,000 signatures. That indicates how strongly people feel about the bank maintaining its presence on Caerleon Road. I have written to HSBC to urge them to reconsider this decision."

Mr Channing, of Merlin Crescent, now has 3,031 signatures.