A bank has celebrated its 200 year anniversary.

The NatWest on Chestergate was established in 1816 as the Macclesfield Bank by the Brocklehurst family, leading figures in Macclesfield’s silk industry.

It continued under their ownership until 1891, when it was bought by the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank.

There have been many changes since the Brocklehursts’ time, eventually becoming NatWest in 1968.

Simon Boardman, deputy manager, has worked at the branch for 36 years.

The Natwest bank building on Chestergate, in Macclesfield as it was in 1910.

He said: “I started in 1980 and just since then the transformation is enormous. Gone is the traditional counter behind a glass security or ‘bandit’ screen. We still have counters but staff are out front now in the banking hall.

“Last year we got a coin counter that counts 1,000 coins every two minutes so you can just come in and tip a rucksack-full in it.

“All that used to be done by hand and staff would’ve been there until midnight until every brass button was counted.”

Staff at the bank marked the milestone with balloons and free tea, coffee and cake for customers and have raised around £200 with a raffle in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.