TWO stalwart members of Darlington Lions Club have been honoured after clocking up 80 years of service between them.

Dave Nicholson and Ian Barnes have both been with the club for 40 years and each received chevron badges marking their long service.

Both have enjoyed being at the forefront of fundraising over the years and many chosen Darlington charities and worthy individuals have benefited.

The main fundraising events they have supported over the years have included Darlington Dog Show, the Town and Railway Carnivals, Swaledale Walk and the Lions Club bookshop.

Mr Barnes was the club’s president in 1981 and 2006.

He recalls the donation of £2,000 given to Darlington Memorial Hospital in 2006, towards a portable ECG machine.

Mr Nicholson was a ‘Lion at large’ for six years during the 1980s, when his work as a construction manager took him to Zambia and Saudi Arabia, but he kept in touch with his local Darlington Lions Club.

He has also has worked in the club’s Darlington bookshop, in Blackwell Arcade, on Fridays for the past 20 years and wants to thank the people for donating their books over many years.

Tony Gent, president of Darlington Lions Club, said 80 years between them was a great achievement and the club has benefited from their dedication, commitment and willingness to help others.