DARLINGTON Lions Club celebrated their 55th charter at Bannatynes Darlington.

During the evening, on June 30, club president Ian Barnes handed over the chain of office to the incoming president Lion Jenny Lumley.

Ian thanked all of the Darlington Lions for their tremendous support in his year of office and their constant hard work to raise money for local charities. During the evening he presented a cheque for £6,000 to Pat Chambers from the Darlington and Bishop Auckland Hospitals MRI Scanner Appeal. This state-of-the-art MRI scanning technology will provide much improved images and a better experience for the patients.

Ian also presented the Melvin Jones award for outstanding service to Lion Tom Peacock who joined the Darlington Lions Club in 1972.

A total of 70 Lions and their guests, including the District Governor and guests from Teesdale Lions club, enjoyed dinner followed by dancing to the music and song of Stephen Lee Garden.