thanks for your quick reply,

i didn't close the account when i got the letter because i have a bad credit rating anyway and i could always fall back on abbey if anything goes wrong with HSBC so i like to keep that option open.

I think as soon as i get this sorted, i will get my account closed though. am going into the branch on saturday morning to speak with the manager, im sure he will sort it when i take the letters and emails down. I will go to the FO regardless of the outcome as i feel i have been taken for a bit of a ride.