FOUR members of the Newport Lions Club were presented with long service awards as they celebrated 40 years of serving the community with a special anniversary evening at the New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes.

Nearly 30 members and non members attended the event with former district governor, David Taylor, sitting in for Ken Staniforth, making a speech and presenting the awards.

Those honoured were: Denis Pierce and Ron Twining, 40 years; Malcolm Harding, 33, and Jackie Green, 15 years. A special mention was given to Roger Huntley who has been with the Lions for 44 years.

The Newport Lions were formed with a sponsorship with the Ryde-based Medina Club, who were the first Island Lions Club nine years earlier, and the nucleus of their members came over to Newport.

They have been involved in a multitude of community activities including gardening, decorating, sponsorship, Christmas lunches for the elderly, pantomime trips for under-privileged children and regular transport for the physically handicapped.

Lions community services officer, Malcolm Harding, said: "We had a super night. There were scrap books with photographs and cuttings showing our history on display.

"Now we want to arrange another evening in a pub where former members, who were unable to be there on the night, can come along so we can meet up again and reminisce some more."