DULVERTON branch of NatWest bank has totted up 150 years of existence and staff have been celebrating the milestone.

The National Provincial Bank of England was founded in 1833 and the decision to open a branch in Dulverton was prompted by the forthcoming arrival of the railway and the prospect of growth.

For centuries, the economy of Dulverton had been dominated by farming and the woollen trade. In the 19th century, the town's two laundries, originally used for washing fleeces, were converted to operate on an industrial scale.

The manager of Tiverton branch wrote to the bank's board of directors suggesting that, with the pending arrival of the railway, Dulverton needed a branch as soon as possible.

The bank opened on August 8, 1863 in temporary premises, now unknown, and its first manager was Mr Cock.

In January 1964, a lease was taken on Buckingham House, a substantial property on the town's square which then became known as Bank Square.

The railway finally opened in 1873, following several developments in the town. Buckingham House was purchased in 1898, a new purpose-built bank was erected at the side, and the house reverted to residential use for the bank manager.

In the 1970s, the house was converted back into officers and occupied by a firm of solicitors.

Meanwhile, the National Provincial Bank of England merged twice with the result that, in 1970, it became the National Westminster Bank. and, in due course, NatWest

Pictured from the left are Paul Furner, manager Sara Palfreyman, Mark Narramore, Micky Lovett, Kevin Perry, Suzanne Aston, Gary Escott, Karen Perry, Katy Sturland and Debbie Passmore.