FOR 53 years the Soroptimist International movement in Haslingden has given its backing to charities and projects all over the world.

But the group has held its final meeting after taking the decision to fold.

The branch was forced into the decision because it could not attract the minimum 15 members it needed to operate under Soroptimist rules.

Barbara Hallam, of East Street, Helmshore, a member of the Haslingden group, said: "It's such a shame that after so long we have to close the club.

"We have not lost any members but unfortunately we have not been able to recruit new ones.Today, so many women work and more people go away for the weekend."

Chartered in 1951 by Mrs Margaret Riley, the Haslingden Soroptimists raised money for local, national and international projects.

The group also played a large part in the formation of Rossendale Hospice and raised thousands of pounds.

Mrs Hallam said most of the members, including herself, were transferring to other clubs.

They hoped to continue a tradition of fundraising strawberry teas. She added: "The teas are very successful. We give out leaflets asking people if they want to have a strawberry tea, then we deliver the teas, of strawberries and scones, regardless of where they are - schools, offices, factories."

The group's last official meeting was at the end of March, although more gatherings have been held since to decide what to with the money raised by the group.

One decision taken was to donate the club's regalia, one of the few remaining coat of arms of Haslingden, as a regional annual trophy to the North West of England and the Isle of Man.

The regalia will be awarded annually to the Soroptimist group in the North West region which has recruited the most members and retained them, in the hope that it will encourage other groups to avoid closure.

A commemorative oak tree will be planted in the Life for a Life Memorial Forest, Dunnockshaw, next month to celebrate the work done over the years.