If you wondered what all the excitement was outside the Nationwide Building Society on Tuesday - read on!

It was 50 years to the day since the old Hastings and Thanet BS opened on Burscough Street and in that time its offices have had a few changes although its core values as a mutual society have remained the same.

Manager Janet Eccleston was determined to mark the day in style which saw the Mayor and Mayoress invited to join the celebrations along with lots of current and old customers who were treated to plentiful refreshments - and a chance to hear more about the premises' fascinating history!

Janet had commissioned research into the former Swan Inn which stood on the site back in the 1800's and also found some wonderful period pictures of how Burscough Street looked in times past.

All in all it was a fitting celebration for a thriving part of the Ormskirk community.