A PROFESSIONAL women's group has launched a diamond appeal to boost membership

As the Leigh branch of Soroptimist International looks forward to celebrating its 60th anniversary it is hoping to recruit more career women with a passion to help the community.

Since the club was formed in 1947 members have contributed to hundreds of local, national and international projects and were prominent in saving a piece of Leigh history.

They funded the restoration of the original Spinning Jenny plaque, which for years was displayed by the side of the former LUT bus station in King Street and now hangs in pride of place in Leigh Town Hall - while a replica has been incorporated in the Spinning Jenny pub.

The club has an incredible success rate in raising awareness and funds for action at home and abroad and local work includes supporting the Leigh women's refuge, the Parkinsons Society and contact centre, raising funds for Breakthrough Cancer Care and Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Members are also working with Fair Trade and the Missing Persons Helpline and for the past 12 years have been sponsoring the education and care of a Tibetan girl.

They have also been involved in A Vision of Peace art competition to raise awareness of issues of peace for young people and the international Project Independence - Women survivors of war, working to help women in the war torn countries of Bosnia, Rwanda and Afghanistan to rebuild their lives.

The group meets twice a month on the second and fourth Monday at Leigh Miners Welfare Club, Twist Lane.

For further information contact soropleigh@yahoo.co.uk or ring 01942 889912.