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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.24
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned hereby appoints James H. Garner and Anna G. Hollers,
and each of them, with full power to act without the other, to execute in the
name and on behalf of the undersigned the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") of First Bancorp (the "Company") with respect to
the registration of shares of common stock of the Company for issuance in
connection with the proposed merger of First Savings Bancorp, Inc. into First
Bancorp and any amendment (including any post-effective amendment) to the
Registration Statement (or any other registration statement for the same
offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933) and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and any
other documents in connection therewith, making such changes in the
Registration Statement as the person(s) so acting deems appropriate, and
appoints each of such persons, each with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, attorney-in-fact to sign the Registration Statement and any
amendment (including any post-effective amendment) to the Registration
Statement (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to
be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of
1933) and to file the same with exhibits thereto, and any other documents in
connection therewith.

         This the 21st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Eric P. Credle
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Eric P. Credle
                                       Senior Vice President
                                       and Chief Financial Officer