BLACKPOOL has been given a vote of confidence as a conference venue by one of Britain's biggest voluntary organisations.

Rodney Huggins, president of Rotary International in Britain and Ireland, spoke of the importance of the resort for its annual assemblies that attract more than 3,000 delegates.

He was speaking at the 75th Charter anniversary dinner of the Rotary Club of Blackpool - the senior of the 14 clubs in the Fylde - attended by almost 100 Rotarians and guests at the Hotel Sheraton, Queens Promenade.

Blackpool has been hosting national Rotary conferences since 1925 and has staged more than any other resort, alternating with venues like Brighton.

Mr Huggins said: "The conference has been coming her for many years and you have provided a host of people to assist with its running."

District governor Allan Hully said he was confident the club would for many years to come show Rotary's concern for Britain's most famous holiday resort and the wider community.

Blackpool club president Hugh Chatterton welcomed reforms approved at this year's conference in Brighton and added: "They are necessary - we have to modernise if we are going to operate in the modern world."

Past president John Funk - a Rotarian for 52 years - presented the John Funk Trophy to Dr Geoffrey Cowell for his outstanding work on the club's Seagull magazine.

Guest speaker was Michael Winkley of Kendal Rotary Club and toastmaster was Peter Whiteside.

A message of congratulations was received from Glen Kinross, president of the 1.2 million-strong worldwide Rotary movement.

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