IT'S 20 years ago this month when Bank of Scotland set up an office in Southampton. Kevin Keegan played with the Saints, average earnings were just £8,900 and you could buy a spacious family house for £38,800.

The UK's number one single was UB40's Red Red Wine and a pint of beer set you back about 65p with milk at 21p a pint.

The milestone is being marked tomorrow with a dinner for 90 guests at the luxury Chewton Glen Hotel, New Milton.

With staff numbers continuing to grow, in 2003 the Southampton corporate banking team recently moved to new offices in Oceana House, Commercial Road.

business banking and private banking teams remain at 144-148 High Street, and marine finance at its office in Alleyn House, Carlton Crescent, which had opened in 1989.

David Moxon, head of corporate banking for the south and Wales region said: "Over the last 20 years we have established a strong presence in the Solent area and built a reputation for innovation, flexibility and an appetite for doing business even in tough conditions."