A CHARITABLE South Cumbria organisation has celebrated the landmark recruitment of its first female and first corporate members.

Rev Sophie Carnaby who first visited Barrow Rotary as a speaker several years ago has been inducted in to the organisation alongside two of Barrow's leading lights in the Business Improvement District (BID) marking a historic moment for the group.

The charity worker will take part in Rotary projects alongside Simon Craig of Marks and Spencer in Dalton Road, and Phil Collier, leader of business support group Phil Collier Associates have joined Barrow Rotary.

Barrow Rotary president Mike Lovell said: “There are three Rotary Clubs in Barrow (Barrow, Furness, and Furness Peninsula).

"Although we are independent clubs we also work together from time to time in the name of Rotary to help communities locally and further afield.

"I hope that all three clubs can work together with BID to benefit Barrow and we have a long and mutually beneficial association.”

BID manager Mr Collier and and chairman Mr Craig are hoping the pairing will benefit the local community.

Mr Collier said: “The Barrow Business Improvement District aims to provide a much more vibrant town centre to the benefit of local people and local businesses alike.

“I believe that it is people, when they group together, who make the greatest difference. To business and to the community.”