A BURNS night celebration also marked 27 years of tireless effort on behalf of the Blackburn and District Scottish Society by its secretary, Marion Montgomery.

Mrs Montgomery, a member of the society for 32 years and a former president of the organisation, was presented with a broach and an engraved silver quaich, a Celtic cup, to mark her contribution.

The event at the Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho, which also marked the 65th anniversary of the society, is the highlight of the organisation's year and included a supper with the haggis piped in by the bagpipe player, as tradition demanded.

Doris Marr, who took over as secretary last April, paid tribute to her predecessor. She said: "It was an excellent evening. Marion has been an excellent secretary, and has now been made a life member of the society."