FINANCIAL advice firm BIB (Darlington) is celebrating 20 years in business this month.

The company was formed in Bedale, North Yorkshire, in 1981 by its three shareholders Peter Atkinson, David Carter and Martin Littleton.

Progress in the business saw it move to Darlington, to offices in Northgate, and later the formation of BIB Underwriters, with offices in Valley Street in the town.

More recently came the creation of a finance and leasing division, which trades as Kent Finance. BIB now employs 67 staff and looks after 15,000 clients, primarily in the North-East.

Martin Littleton, managing director, said: "We are more than pleased with our progress over the last 20 years but we are never complacent.

"We constantly continue to try and achieve higher standards in all aspects of our business."

He said: "Our aim was to create a company which could deliver national service to the region, bringing together people with the necessary ability and understanding of customer needs.

"We still have plans to expand further but will not allow our growth to affect our desire to provide a personal service to all our customers."