A BANKER swapped statements for soulful singing after reaching the finals of a nationwide talent competition.

Aaron Wride, 29, who works in Natwest’s Commercial Road branch made it the final of the Natwest’s Got Talent competition in aid of Sport Relief.

The talent search saw Natwest seek out the best magicians, comedians, dancers and singers from their branches across the nation.

Aaron, from Rodbourne, beat scores of budding banking superstars after impressing with a heartfelt audition of Sam Cooke’s Change is Gonna Come, recorded in the branch staff room.

He had a taste of the A-list experience when he was flown to Edinburgh to perform at the Gogarburn auditorium on Friday.

And the Swindon songbird confessed to nerves ahead of stepping into the spotlight for the one-off performance.

“I feel alive when I sing, I love my job at the bank and the team but singing is a real passion of mine. It helps me.

“I’m excited to show my potential and what I can do on that stage.

“I know I’ll have nerves when I get onto the stage but I love to perform and it will be a total adrenaline rush when I do."

Aaron, who has been a singer-song writer for more than 13 years is a natural when it comes to stepping onstage.

And he hoped his performance of Nick Jonas' Jealous would hit all the right notes with the panel of esteemed judges, including Natwest CEO Les Matheson.

He had to battle it out against eight other finalists to secure the grand prize but was sadly pipped at the post.

Aaron was spurred on in his X-Factor adventure with the help of his colleagues at Natwest, Commercial Road. The team created a sports relief themed good –luck video which was shown before his performance and set to The Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends.

Jane Stanley, customer support officer said the team were delighted with Aaron’s success.

“It was brilliant, we had weights, cheerleading pom-poms, swimming goggles and hats and a couple of us were doing press ups. It was the perfect way to wish him luck before the performance," she said.

“He absolutely killed his performance, he was buzzing afterwards, and we couldn’t be happier for him.

“It’s not the X Factor it’s the Aaron factor, we’re all so proud of him and his achievements. He’s helped raise all that money for charity and we are happy at his success.

“Aaron is a really important part of the team and a real character. He will always come into the staffroom singing and we all absolutely love his voice.

“He was buzzing from the experience and we all love the fact that he did it, and did everyone in the Swindon team proud."