Campaigning pensioner Beryl Fricker has won the support of Wells MP James Heappey.

She launched a petition opposing the closure of the HSBC bank in Wells which Mr Heappey signed after she told him: "Over the past month I have made it my business to talk to people on the street, market traders, shop and premises owners.

"They are incensed and extremely angry about the proposed closure in June. Not only individual customers but traders who want to withdraw or deposit cash."

This was not a situation peculiar to Wells. Other MPs up and down the land will have been approached by constituents wanting action about bank closures.

Beryl also poured scorn on HSBC's chief executive who had told the Treasury Select Committee of MPs: "We are absolutely committed to having a physical footprint."

Mr Heappey said: "High Street banking continues to be important for many in our community and whilst the majority of us are increasingly comfortable with banking online, the needs of those who are not cannot - and must not - be overlooked. 

"I will be meeting with HSBC to raise my objections to the branch closure, share the concerns of my constituents, and discuss with them a route forward.

"As ever, with bank branch closures consumer power does matter and so Wells residents that bank with HSBC - and other banks which are currently left in the city - should consider moving their accounts. This would be both in protest against the closure, but more importantly to grow the customer base of the few banks which remain on the High Street."

Beryl, who was widowed in 2020 after 50 years of marriage, pointed out that HSBC had suggested Wells customers could switch to their nearest branch - Bridgwater which has no counter service and is two bus journeys away for non-drivers. 

One solution to bank closures, suggested Beryl, was a shared banking hub with a counter where which different banks took turns to staff it.

The post office in Tucker Street can accept mail and sell stamps but lacks the possibility of private meetings to discuss money matters, she said.

Beryl arranged to meet the MP at Wells Town Hall and went with her friend Elinor Clare for support.

They met after Beryl contacted the Wells Community Network as she was struggling to manage her garden in Wells. WCN volunteer Elinor offered to help and now they are close friends.