Alresford IT business First Option says it's looking forward to the future after becoming one of the largest employee-owned companies in the UK.

Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan unveiled a commemorative plaque and planted a tree in the grounds of the firm's premises in Signal House.

"I am delighted to mark this very special day for the company,'' she said. "It is a most exciting day for First Option, for Alresford and Hamsphire.''

First Option managing director Tim Considine said the firm was fortunate in having a loyal and gifted workforce and all 50 members of staff had been offered a stake in First Option.

"New recruits will also be able to reap the rewards and control their own future as we embark on an exciting period of sustained growth and the launch of new technology,'' he said.

"We will now have one of the largest employee shareholdings in the country which we believe will create a radically different commercial culture benefiting both our staff and our clients.''

Originally set up 14 years ago and based at Kings Worthy First Option has grown steadily and now boasts a blue chip client base including Jaguar Cars, NatWest Bank and the Metropolitan Police.

The software development scheme can create a range of bespoke systems from e-commerce to knowledge management and image system while the technical support division provides a help desk and on site consultancy.