AN outgoing Rotary club president has handed over £1,000 in donations split between two charities.

Jim Hargreaves, from the Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle, handed out a cheque for £500 to Accrington-based Advocacy Focus.

The money will be used to further extend Advocacy public awareness events across Lancashire, so they can contact more people with its health and social care support programmes.

The Rotary club has also donated £500 to Carers Link after being impressed by a talk given to the group earlier this year.

The Carers charity is a UK-wide network which works to provide grants to help carers get the extra help they need to live their own lives.

The money was given to Carolyn Teed at the Hyndburn branch.

Mr Hargreaves said: “On behalf of all our Rotary members I am very pleased to make this donation to such worthwhile organisations.

Anyone interested in receiving help from the groups should contact Advocacy Focus on 0300 323 0965 or Carers Link Hyndburn on 01254 387444.