BLAENAVON councillors will tomorrow present a petition of more than 1,000 names to HSBC representatives, calling for them to preserve what they say is the town’s “lifeline”.

Mayor Stuart Evans and fellow town councillors Janet Jones, Pauline Whitcombe, Brian Whitcombe and Elwyn Griffin spent three days visiting homes around the area, collecting signatures calling for Blaenavon’s only bank to remain open.

HSBC announced last week that the branch will close on May 11, saying it is not doing enough business needed to make it sustainable.

The decision means locals will have to travel to Pontypool or Abergavenny to use banking facilities.

Cllr Evans said: “The bank is a lifeline, the decision will mean so much hardship, especially at this time of year when the weather closes in and the buses stop.”

The level of feeling was shown when 120 people attended a public meeting last week, with many calling for action.

Councillors arranged a meeting with HSBC regional manager Pete Muscat for Tuesday and have been collecting signatures since Friday.

They spent the weekend knocking doors and circulating petition forms around pubs and clubs.

Cllr Evans added: “When they’re gathered in, we’ll have at least 1,000 names.

“The more we get, the more effective it will be.” He said councillors received “great support” from the people living in homes they had visited.

Cllr Evans said many elderly people were unable to attend last week’s meeting because of the weather, but they were pleased to be given an opportunity to voice their concerns.

He added that without a local bank, many would not be able to obtain cash regularly and are concerned they would struggle to buy groceries and pay bills.

Cllr Evans fears the town could become isolated and added: “We have gone right round the community gathering signatures.

“And from the elderly residents to people in pubs and clubs and locals on the streets, everyone just wants to see the bank saved.”