A SOLICITOR is the First Lady of Bury Rotary Club, quite literally!

For Ms Shefali Talukdar is the first female to join the previously strictly male-only ranks of the organisation.

Her induction came weeks after the 34-strong Bury Rotary membership made the historic decision to admit women for the first time in its 74-year history. Two years ago, the Rotary movement as a whole changed its constitution to pave the way for women members.

Ms Talukdar is a partner with Bury-based solicitors Clough & Willis where she is involved in residential property work.

At her induction on Wednesday (June 19), she was congratulated by club president and former colleague Mr John Watson. Before his retirement last year, he was a senior partner with Clough & Willis.

Ms Talukdar (37), a mother of one daughter, said: "I feel very honoured to have been invited to join the club and I hope that will encourage other women.

"I don't mind being the only female member so far. Everyone is very friendly and courteous. At the end of the day, the aims of Rotary are to promote friendship and help within the community. So, it doesn't matter if you are male or female."

Ms Talukdar, who joined Clough & Willis in 1991, added: "It was a very nice personal touch by Mr Watson, as president, to have him actually sponsor me."