1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.8


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned hereby appoints James H. Garner, Eric P. Credle and
Anna G. Hollers, and each of them, with full power to act without the others, 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 Century 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 November, 2000.


                                      /s/ Jesse S. Capel
                                      -----------------------
                                      Jesse S. Capel, Director