PRIDE was the word as a Lions Club received a brace of awards.

Durham Lions was named the district Club of the Year and long-serving member Peter Oakley was given a special certificate in recognition of his efforts to revive the Lanchester Lions Club, which had folded due to lack of interest.

The presentations were made at the Daleside Arms, Croxdale, near Durham, on Monday (December 8).

Chris Southworth, the immediate past district governor, said the Durham club was small but had made a big impression.

He said: “They are a dedicated Lions Club, helping their community in many ways, supporting food banks, rescue dogs, Marie Curie, the RNLI, organising supermarket collections, charity race nights and darts evenings.

“They have grasped new technology with one of the best Lions Facebook pages I’ve seen.

“They’re a smaller Lions Club that certainly punch above their weight.

“Yet despite their size, they have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into supporting the re-launch of a nearby failed Lions Club and used this to inspire their own club to seek to grow again.”

Club president Alvan Bailey said the awards were a tribute to the club members who work so hard for the community.

The Durham Lions Club is always looking for new members. To get in touch, email: durhamlionssecretary@gmail.com