A major bank has defended asking a campaign group to remove posters stuck to the wall of one of its branches during a fundraising appeal for victims of the Burmese cyclone.

Members of the Oxford Burma Solidarity Group stuck three posters to the wall of HSBC's branch in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, on Saturday, May 10 as they set up a table outside the bank.

They handed out leaflets raising awareness of the military regime in Burma as they collected cash for the thousands hit by the cyclone.

OBSG spokesman Alessandra Pigni said: "Somebody from the bank came out and took down one of the posters because he said he didn't know if his company supported our campaign."

She also claimed HSBC conducted business with the Burmese regime - a claim denied by the bank.

HSBC spokesman Tim Pie said the campaign group had not been harassing customers and been very friendly. They were allowed to return this weekend.

Mr Pie added: "We are a non-political organisation. We have made a £35,000 donation to the cyclone appeal and are match-funding customer donations up to £1.5m. We support the right of people to demonstrate. It was just a matter of keeping the shop front windows clear."