HSBC Bank celebrated the 100th birthday of its Salisbury branch last week, giving customers the opportunity to imagine what the industry was like in the early 1900s.

Managers and staff donned period costume and one of the rooms was furnished in period style to resemble an office in 1901.

There were old ledgers, signature books and the deeds of the building on display, as well as a picture of the bank during the Second World War when it was used as a recruiting office.

Branch manager Andy Lear said he was delighted to be manager at such an important milestone.

"There are not many branches that are 100 years old," he said.

"Banking has seen many changes in the old days customers were expected to come to see the manager, but now we go to them.

"The main change has been computers and many customers use telephone and internet banking. We are certainly a lot busier now."

Manager's secretary Brenda Cheesley researched the history of the branch, which was opened by the London City and Midland Bank, later becoming Midland Bank.

She discovered the first manager was Mr T.H. Ensor, employed on a salary of £300.

In 1903 Mr Ensor wrote to head office for permission to move house outside Salisbury and in 1910 he asked for a pay rise, saying that "even with the strictest economy I find it impossible to live within my income and keep up the appearances my position requires".

By the First World War there were ten staff, two of whom died in the conflict, and during the period between the two wars, sub-offices were opened at Codford, Fordingbridge and Wilton.

During the anniversary celebrations, which coincided with the BBC's Children in Need appeal, staff held a guess the weight of the cake competition and every time the cash machine was used on November 13, a penny was given to the charity by the bank.

On Tuesday there was a gathering at the branch for former managers and long-standing customers. One family has been banking with the branch for 80 years.