HYNDBURN'S oldest charity, a support group for disabled people in the Accrington area, is celebrating a half-century of success with an appeal for more members and volunteers.

The Inskip League of Friendship for Disabled Persons, the town's oldest organisation for the disabled, was started on an informal basis by parents who wanted an organisation for their handicapped children in 1953.

Today the group has more than 100 members and 20 associate members who have fortnightly meetings at the Hipping Vale community centre in Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle, and take regular day-trips and holidays.

And as it heads towards its 50th birthday on June 1 organisers are appealing for more members and volunteers to swell the ranks.

Any physically disabled people can become full members while volunteer helpers can become associate members of the club.

The unusual name was taken from a disabled man called Leonard Inskip, based in Leicester, who edited a magazine called the National Cripple Journal in the early 1900s.

The Accrington Group received charitable status in 1961 and is reliant on donations from the public to run its adapted minibus, which provides a vital transport service for members unable to get out.

Fundraiser and associate member John Proctor said: "This club is the only one of its kind in this area providing this type of service and many of the members would never get out if it wasn't running.

"It provides valuable support and friendship to people who need it and allows people to meet new friends. Two couples who met at the club have even got married since.

"The group has thrived for 50 years and would welcome new members or volunteers."

The club is open to anyone with a physical disability except blindness or deafness as those conditions have their own separate societies.

For more details call Mr Proctor on 01254 237323.