THE new president of Bury Lions is the youngest ever in the history of the worldwide movement to hold the title.

And 20-year-old Claire Bentley has also notched up another important first. For she's the first-ever female to hold the presidency of the Bury club.

It was clearly a case of like father, like daughter. Claire's dad Colin has been Lions president on two occasions and each time was the youngest in the club to hold the post.

Former Derby High School pupil Claire, of Mosley Avenue, Bury, said: "I'm nervous and excited at becoming president. My main goal is to increase membership and get younger people into the club.

"We did some research and it seems that I'm the youngest ever person to be president of a Lions club throughout the whole international movement since it began in 1917."

Claire, who works for a financial services company, takes over from retiring president Mr Malcolm Evans.

She added: "For as long as I can remember, my dad has been a member of Bury Lions. When I was 17, I asked him if I could go along to a meeting.

"I really enjoyed it and I've been a member now for the past three years. Since then, two other ladies have joined."

Throughout her term of office, Claire plans to raise public awareness of Lions Clubs International and to boost Bury membership.