Three Lowestoft Rotary clubs have joined together to form a new group in a bid to secure the long-term future of the organisation in the town.

The Rotary movement has been alive in Lowestoft for more than 80 years, with members raising substantial funds to be reinvested in the town and boost worthwhile community projects.

However as members grow older and people with families and busy working lives find themselves unable to commit to weekly meetings, meals and formalities, Rotarians from the town are keen to ensure the spirit of the club lives on.

Members of the Lowestoft, Lowestoft East Point and Lowestoft South Rotary Clubs - which remain very active - are forming a new group called the Rotary Community Forum.

The forum is aimed at women and men over 18 with just two or three hours a month to spare and with experience and/or skills which would add value to the town, to meet with like-minded people and plan fundraising and community service projects.

Paul Tabiner, chairman of the Forum Project Team, said: 'This is an exciting opportunity for interested women and men to make a real difference in our community.

'We are looking for as many as possible to come along to one of two short information meetings. The first will be at 7pm on Thursday, May 10 in Sam's Coffee Shop on Bevan Street, Lowestoft and the second at The Jolly Sailors, Pakefield at 10am on Saturday, May 12. If family commitments would prevent anyone coming along, they are welcome to bring the family with them. After the meetings those interested in joining the forum will be given help to get started but otherwise will be left to organise the forum as they wish.'

The forum will be part of the Rotary movement so will be able to receive practical and financial support for what it wants to achieve.

Some of the projects Rotary has organised in the town include helping to establish Waveney Sailability in the early 2000s to enable disabled people to sail on the Broads and donating dictionaries to Year 3 pupils each year to help improve literacy.

For further information about the forum or joining one of the existing Rotary clubs, contact David Ferns on 07764895848, Sally Green on 01502 566533 or Brian Hunter on 01502 582901.