SELKIRK Rotary Club has a new man at the helm.

Steering the Club through the next Rotary year will be former newspaper publisher Herbert Chatters, who takes over as Club President - 27 years after holding a similar position in Nottinghamshire.

Herbert joined Rotary whilst still a member of his local Round Table in Nottinghamshire and has been a member of clubs in England, Scotland and Portugal.

Married to Joy, who is also a Club member, he is currently on the National Marketing, Public Relations and Communications Committee and is one of two International Public Image Co-ordinators for Britain and Ireland.

His biggest ambition is to see Rotary's End Polio Now Campaign, which was launched during his previous Presidency, come to a conclusion during his present term of office.

There were 125 polio endemic countries 27 years ago - today there are only three.

"We are so close to totally eradicating polio and I would very much like to see that happen this year, but it is a big ask and if it is concluded within the next three years I will be delighted," Herbert said.

"Here in Selkirk we have raised �1,000 in the last year to help fight polio, thanks to the local people, but we have also raised �7000 funds to help local organisations too as well as helping out at local events. Rotary's motto is 'We're for Communities' and here in Selkirk we will be continuing to uphold that."

The Club would also be continuing to build on the youth activities programme instigated by Past President David Sceats with the formation of two RotaKids groups in local primary schools and continued by retiring President Doug Forsyth, says Herbert.

The programme includes the young musician and young golfer competitions, sponsoring High School pupils to attend leadership development and business enterprise weekend courses and a new young chef competition.

The new committee comprises Senior Vice-President Jim McPherson; Junior Vice-President Edith Scott; Secretary Dick Marks; Treasurer Grant Gill; Chairs -Membership and Retention Les Rutherford; Communications Edith Scott; Foundation Jan Henderson and Alan Hall; Service Projects Adam Borwick; Youth Service John Pack.

The Club meets every Wednesday at the County Hotel, Selkirk 6pm for 6.30pm. See Rotary Club of Selkirk on Facebook and at www.selkirkrotaryclub.org.uk