Convoluted, but problem solved
I think so, anyway.<
In order to reopen my original bank account with Paypal, I had to fax the two digit number they sent to the account when I first opened it, around ten years ago! Clearly beyond the scope of human ability. So I opened a new Paypal account, which is remarkably easy with (it seems) very few security checks.
Then I tried to add the original bank account, but it was black-balled. Stymied again.
Today I rang the bank and had a very pleasant conversation with an extremely personable and helpful young man (it was worth it just for that) who offered to look back through all my dealings with the bank over many years, find the two elusive numbers and mail a copy to me. But since I could foresee all sorts of further hideous complications with Paypal and months of trying to sort it out, I decided it was simpler to open a new current account.
“Yes,” said the nice young man, “I can do that for you now and it will be operable immediately. You should receive your new chequebook and debit card within a week. Would you like a credit card as well? Is an overdraft facility of £500 enough for you? Of course, no interest charged on the first £250 of that.”
So that’s what I’ve done. It almost restored my faith in banks. And in case you’re wondering, I bank with First Direct, who are a telephone/online banking arm of HSBC.