ROTARY clubs in Bury are celebrating the 100th birthday of the organisation with a special event in Radcliffe.

Friday night will see members of clubs across Bury attend a celebration dinner at the Civic Suite, in Thomas Street.

The six clubs of the borough - Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington and Bury West, Bury Irwell Vale, and Prestwich and Whitefield - are made up of business and professional people who work to help communities and organisations throughout the world.

On Friday there are 1.2 million Rotary Club members, allied to more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs in 166 countries. During the past 100 years, Rotary has grown from a small club of four members to a worldwide network of men and women who share a common vision for a better world.

Rotary was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago when he called a meeting with three of his business contacts on February 23, 1905. On that day Rotary was formed and is now the leading service organisation in the world through the work of clubs, Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.

Clubs in Bury have joined the other 45 clubs in this district to contribute towards to the purchase of a home in Eritrea, Africa, where 12 orphaned children can once again live as a family and receive an education. Another of the projects undertaken by the clubs has been their contribution to the elimination of Poliomyelitis from most of the world. The project will be completed in 2005.

On Tuesday an Early Day Motion was signed by MPs from all parties marking 100 years of Rotary. Bury MPs, David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis, have been asked to support this motion.