A businessman whose company account was frozen because of failing to fill in a survey he didn't receive launched a family protest outside his bank.

Dale Wilson, a web designer, stood outside the HSBC branch in Braintree High Street with his wife, Rizalina and their two children - Carlo, nine and Jacob, seven – for more than an hour on Saturday.

Between them they handed out 85 leaflets to a crowd of people who had begun to worry about the security of their money after seeing the family.

Mr Wilson said: “I noticed my account was frozen on Friday and they would not give any indication of when it would be back.

“The reason was due to the simple fact that I had not responded to an HSBC survey, known as HSBC Safeguard.

“The problem is I was never sent this survey and nor was I sent any notice my account was going to be closed.

“I went through every department and was offered no help.

“I had no choice but to stand outside in protest until the manager came out, I told her I would be back protesting until I got my money back.”

Mr Wilson started a campaign on social media, where he found other people who had experienced the same problem.

Some people even walked in to the Braintree branch to complain on Mr Wilson’s behalf.

He added: “The people of Braintree have been amazing, we printed out 85 leaflets and we had so much good feedback - people were crowding around to take one.

“On Monday morning I spoke to the bank manager in Braintree again and she basically made a lot of calls and got it fixed – I brought her flowers to say thank you.

“Now they say I am a trusted customer and don’t need to fill the survey in.

“I have started an application to move elsewhere, so I will most likely leave HSBC.”

A spokesman for HSBC said: "Our complaints team has been in touch with him and I understand the situation is now resolved."