TOP brass from the Bank of England paid a visit to Inverclyde yesterday - to officially launch a new �50 bearing the face of legendary engineer James Watt.

Back in August the Telegraph revealed that the 18th-century inventor was to become the new face of the banknote alongside long-time friend and colleague Matthew Boulton.

And the chief cashier of the Bank of England, Chris Salmon, yesterday handed over the new-style �50, which went into circulation last Wednesday, to one of the local places that honours the historic figure's name - James Watt College.

The commemorative framed banknote was presented to college principal Sue Pinder before Mr Salmon met with students and staff at the Finnart Street campus for a question and answer session.

Watt, who was born in Greenock and lived between 1736-1819, was an engineer and scientist famed for his work with steam engines and known worldwide through his surname - the international term for a unit of power.

Ms Pinder said: "This is a very prestigious occasion for James Watt College, as this is Watt's hometown and as a college we bear his name.

"This college was opened in 1908 using money donated by Andrew Carnegie because at that time he thought Watt was quite undervalued.

"So we are very proud of this honour and to bear Watt's name and continue some of the work he started." The serial code on the note - 001736 - was specially chosen for the college in recognition of Watt's year of birth.

Mr Salmon, executive director for banking services and chief cashier, told the Tele: "The Bank's choice of Matthew Boulton and James Watt, a reminder of the invaluable contribution from engineering and the entrepreneurial spirit to the advancement of society, I think, reflects this.

"Boulton and Watt's steam engines and their many other innovations were essential factors in the nation's Industrial Revolution.

"James Watt was the great improver of the steam engine.

"He introduced the term 'horsepower' and the metric unit of power is named after him." "I am delighted to present this new-style �50 note to the James Watt College, which has itself commemorated the work of James Watt in its name."