Today's trip down Helensburgh's memory lane takes us back 15 years to coverage of the 100th anniversary of the town's Royal Bank of Scotland branch – and the two other centenarians who joined in the celebrations.

Here's how we reported the news in the Advertiser on October 7, 2004...

* * * * * * * * * * *

A BANK celebrated its 100th anniversary in Helensburgh this month - and two other centenarians were invited to join the fun.

Royal Bank of Scotland branch manager Susan Wallace enjoyed cake and champagne with long standing customers Jessie Kane and Amy Batchelor, who are both celebrating their own 100th birthday this year.

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s local branch first opened its doors on October 10 1904 as an office of the National Bank of Scotland, with business conducted from shop premises on the seafront. The new branch was known locally as the ‘wee bank’.

READ MORE: From the Archives: Helensburgh's Christmas lights faced blackout in 2009

In 1923 the bank bought a site on the corner of West Clyde Street and Colquhoun Street where a new purpose built office was built.

This was opened in the summer of 1924 and was described at the time as ‘a country banking office which has not, perhaps, its equal in the West of Scotland’.

The Commercial Bank of Scotland, which had also operated a branch in the town since 1922 , merged with the National Bank in 1959 to form the National Commercial Bank of Scotland.

In 1964 all business was transferred to the West Clyde Street branch.

LATEST HEADLINES: Helensburgh students graduate from Argyll College UHI

The Royal Bank of Scotland was also well established in the town and had opened its own branch on East Princes Street in 1922.

Following the merger of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the National Commercial Bank in 1969, the new bank continued to operate two branches until 1984.

In 1984 the two branches were merged, and moved into Colquhoun Square, where the branch remains today.

READ MORE: Check out all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines here