AN ORGANISATION dedicated to serving the needs of the local and international community has folded after 62 years.

Bury Inner Wheel Club has disbanded because of a lack of new members.

Mrs Christine Bennett, the club's publicity officer, said: "It is very sad that we have had to make this decision, but our members are not getting any younger and at the same time no one is joining the club."

She added: "Many other similar clubs today have the same problem. People just don't seem to have the time to become members of such organisations." Bury Inner Wheel Club was founded by a Mrs Woodcock whose husband was a member of Bury Rotary Club. Members, whose motto was "Friendship and Service", met in Bank Street Church, Bury. At the height of the club's popularity there were around 47 ladies in the Inner Wheel Club.

"We still had around 30 members," said Mrs Bennett, "But the big jobs were being shared among a select few because no one wanted to take on the responsibility or had other commitments."

Over the years, the club, through various fund-raising events, has supported local, national and international charities and worthy causes.

Mrs Bennett, who has held the post of president, said: "We have supported many causes overseas, especially children's charities. We have worked very hard for them."

She added: "I would just like to thank everyone who has been a member of the club and worked so hard."

Members will continue to meet once a month as a friendship club.

Mrs Bennett, concluded: "Over the years we have all made some very good friends and we will continue to stay in touch."

At their last meeting Bury Inner Wheel Club handed over two cheques for more than £300 to Bury Hospice and to the British Heart Foundation.