AN organisation has ploughed more than £50,000 into good causes in Darlington over the past five years, despite a fall in membership.

At a party on Sunday, Darlington Lions Club welcomed new president Neil Anderson and celebrated a fundraising year that has seen more than £10,000 donated to good causes.

But although the club is booming worldwide, with international membership estimated to be in excess of 1.3 million, in the UK membership is in decline.

The Darlington club had 48 members in 1978, compared with 23 this year.

Club spokesman Alan Watson said it was becoming increasingly difficult to attract new members. He said: "These days people don't seem to look to join societies, they prefer to go to the gym or go jogging."

But despite the membership numbers, the club is finding new ways to raise cash, including joining forces with the town's Rotary club in some fundraising events.

They also run a secondhand book store, in Blackwellgate, which provides the club's most significant source of income.

Former president Fred Thompson said the fundraising success of the club was due to the common desire to give something back to the community. For more information about the club, call 0845-833-9874.