NEW Dorchester bank manager Ian Jordan is enjoying overseeing his branch's 120th year in the town.

Mr Jordan took over at Dorchester's NatWest Bank earlier this year and is planning a celebratory party and huge cake to mark the anniversary next month.

The South Street branch was opened by Stuckley's Banking Company on June 1, 1882, which in 1909 merged with Parr's Bank.

Nine years later Parr's merged with the London County and Westminster Banks to form the London County, Westminster and Parr's Bank.

The name was abbreviated to Westminster Bank in 1923, before a merger in 1968 saw the creation of the National Westminster Bank.

The premises was listed as a Grade II building in 1974.

Mr Jordan said: "We've got a big cake on order and we're going to have a cake-cutting ceremony in October.

"We'll be giving slices of the cake to customers."

Mr Jordan, 39, who has been a NatWest bank manager for four years, previously in Wareham and Bournemouth, said he was enjoying being at the Dorchester branch.

He said: "It's good fun. One of the things I'm trying to do is bring back the personal service to the branch.

"I'm really enjoying meeting the branch's customers, old and new. It is great to join a branch that has such a long association with the local area and I want to ensure that all customers receive the best level of care possible.

"120 years is a long time and I am positive that my aim is the same as that of the first manager here, HB Batten - that the people of Dorchester see NatWest as the obvious choice."

Mr Jordan, who is married with two children, added: "The branch has seen many changes over the years, but something which has not changed is the staff's desire to provide outstanding levels of service to all their customers."