PEOPLE aged over 55 seeking friendship and new interests can join the Stokesley and District U3A.

It is almost a year since the U3A started and it has more than 70 members who meet regularly and share in hobbies such as walking, reading, the theatre and languages.

The group will celebrate its first birthday at the next meeting, on June 8, but for people wishing to attend after that, the group meets at Stokesley Town Hall on the second Wednesday of every month, at 1pm.

The speaker for the next meeting will be Peter Howe, who cycled across America to raise cash for cancer and leukaemia charities. Call Alan Crosskill, on (01642) 701202 for more details.