THIS month marks the 45th year that Norwich and Peterborough Building Society’s Wisbech branch has been in the town’s market place - and the 10th year that manager Gemma Chapman has been with the company.

The branch at 30/31 Market Place first opened its doors in February 1966, the same year that England beat Germany in the World Cup, a gallon of petrol cost five shillings (26 new pence), the average house price was �3,840 and the Hovercraft service first began over the English Channel.

The present team of nine includes Gemma Chapman (branch manager), Vince Challen (financial planner), Lyn Welbourne (mortgage adviser), Tracy Young (customer consultant), Sola Linkson, Melissa Mendham, Samuel Adkin, Kimberley Brooks and Natasha Middleton (all customer advisers).

Gemma said: “It’s great to mark our 45th year in the town. It’s hard to believe that we have customers who have been coming in to the branch for almost as long as it’s been here.

“It’s nice that my 10th year has fallen on the branch’s 45th year. During my 10 years with the Society I have worked at a few different branches including Cathedral Square, March, King’s Lynn, but it’s great to be manager here at my local branch in Wisbech.”