THE new chief executive Philip Williamson of Swindon-based Nationwide, sees his job as being able to offer the society's members Christmas every day in the form of excellent services with the internet playing a key part for many.

"It's a familiar image of Christmas in times gone by, snow falling heavily, frost biting the cold air, parents dragging their children around packed shopping centres," he says.

"Endless queues, not only in the shops, but also in the banks, waiting to withdraw the money to pay for it all.

"But gradually shoppers are catching on to a way of avoiding all that. By using the internet.

"Shopping online in the privacy of one's home means recipients won't know what is being bought for them. Shopping in the cold will be a thing of the past. Now that has to be a good idea.

"Nationwide is particularly proud of its online services which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Nationally the UK will have more than 7.3 million online bankers.

"So just log on at www.nationwide.co.uk to see what it is all about and how easy it is."