WOMEN presidents are in charge of Hyndburn’s rotary clubs for the first time.

After electing new leaders this year, the groups of Accrington, Great Harwood and Rishton plus Church and Oswaldtwistle coincidentally set the new record.

The clubs are now led by Louise Banner, president of Great Harwood and Rishton Rotary Club, Jacquie Baldwin, president of Accrington Rotary Club, and Doreen Lawton, president of Church and Oswaldtwistle.

Rotarian Michael Jackson at Church and Oswaldtwistle said: “This is the first time that such a situation has arisen within the rotary movement for one area. It has never happened before where we had four lady presidents in the same year.

“In addition, Jane Wadsworth from the Rotary Club of Accrington is an assistant governor for South East Lancashire which is a senior appointment overseeing 18 Rotary Clubs.

“The Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle in 1995 was the first club from 74 north west groups to appoint a lady president, and since that date three women presidents have served the club with great distinction.”