LANCASTER'S chamber of trade experienced a sad departure and the death of a long standing colleague last week.

Chief Executive Barry Scoffin was awarded an engraved crystal bowl by Chamber President Heather Pape-Hughes, who paid tribute to Robin Morris who died suddenly last week.

Ms Pape-Hughes called Mr Morris, a transport expert "a true gentleman" with "great energy and enthusiasm for life."

She also reminded members of Mr Scoffin's seven years of service to the organisation.

The future looks promising for the Chamber of commerce, however, as youngsters from Ripley St Thomas' School presented their winning young enterprise project to Chamber of Commerce members last week.

Young entrepreneurs Thomas Birchall, Kim Ashby, Amanda Broadfield, Chris Mann, Lisa O'Sullivan and Aaron Parsons presented details of their eco-giftware project to more than 70 members of the business community.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.