“FLABBERGASTED” is how a Newport pensioner described the public response to his petition aimed at saving a city bank branch from closure.

In just two-and-a-half weeks, Eric Channing, 71, collected 3,212 signatures calling on HSBC to reverse its decision to close its Caerleon Road branch.

After hearing the news of the forthcoming closure, Mr Channing, of Merlin Crescent, took to the street outside the branch on May 17, staying for five or more hours every day, even after the branch closed at 3pm.

Mr Channing said he and his wife Jean have been using the branch for 46 years and it would be “devastating” for the area if it closed.

Friday marked his final day of collecting signatures and, undeterred by HSBC’s insistence on closing the branch, he now plans to present his petition to the bank. He said: “I’m flabbergasted I’ve got so many people pushing me on, the feeling has been overwhelming, it exhilarating. Even if they don’t change their mind, I’m glad I did it, it’s given me a great lift to think I’ve done something like this – the people of Newport have been marvellous.”

As reported previously in the Argus, the bank is set to close on June 17. A spokesman for HSBC said the two members of staff who work at the bank will be moved to another branch.

The spokesman said the closure was due to a fall in the number of people using the branch, combined with an increase in the number of people using telephone and internet banking.

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.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: A great effort unrewarded

WE can’t let today pass without mentioning the remarkable effort of Newport pensioner Eric Channing who took on one of the world’s largest banks.

Mr Channing, at the age of 71, stood outside the branch of his local bank, which is set to close, and collected signatures against the plans.

In just two and a half weeks he got 3,212 people to sign his petition through his sheer determination to keep the branch open.

We live in an age where people easily set up petitions on social networking sites that can attract tens of thousands of backers.

What was different in Mr Channing’s case is that the people who signed his petition genuinely wanted that bank to stay open.

Communities have been hard hit in recent years with the closure of services like the post office and local shops which can’t compete with the large supermarkets.

They need every resource possible in order to survive.

Which is why Mr Channing’s campaign deserves full credit.

Sadly, it all appears to have fallen on deaf ears at the ‘world’s local bank’.

HSBC said it will still close the branch in Caerleon Road despite this valiant effort from Mr Channing and the signatures of thousands.

It says there has been a fall in the number of people using the branch because more people are using telephone and internet banking.

We don’t believe internet banking can completely take the place of human contact and that 3,212 people who wanted that branch to stay open will agree with us.