EXHIBIT 23

                 PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                     FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  Registration  Statements
pertaining to the Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  Retirement  Savings Plan (Form S-8, No.
33-1803),  the Amended and Restated  1993 Stock  Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp
Inc.  (Form S-8, No.  33-67878),  the 1995 Stock Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp
Inc. (Form S-8, No. 33-59569),  the Amended and Restated  Deferred  Compensation
Plan for  Directors  of Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  and  Subsidiaries  (Form S-8, No.
333-43629),  the 1998 Stock Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  (Form S-8, No.
333-62935),  the 2002 Stock Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  (Form S-8, No.
333-86246) and the Peoples Bancorp Inc.  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan (Form S-3,
No.  33-54003)  of our  report  dated  January  24,  2003,  with  respect to the
consolidated  financial  statements  of Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  and  Subsidiaries
included  in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,
2002.


                                /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                    Ernst & Young LLP


Charleston, West Virginia
March 3, 2003