History has been made in the Rotary Club of Northallerton, as the first ever female president takes the chains of office.

After a busy year in the role, with events celebrating the 75th anniversary of the club and the relocation of weekly meetings to the Golden Lion Hotel in the centre of Northallerton, Mike Holmes today hands over the role to Emma Biggs.

Emma becomes the first woman to hold the position in the 76 years since the club was formed, although there are several female members.

Emma, who set up an advertising company and produced monthly magazines promoting local businesses and services, was raised in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and is married to Dean, a software consultant.

They have one daughter, Charlotte, and the family moved through Dean's work to Lake Mary, Florida in 2008. In 2019 they returned to the UK and decided to live in North Yorkshire. Emma and Dean joined the Rotary Club of Northallerton in 2020, and have been active on the Publicity Committee.

As the upcoming Rotary year's theme is "Create Hope in the World", Emma intends to make her year as president a year of hope for local school children by supporting two Northallerton primary schools.

"I'm very excited at the prospect, and rather proud to be the first lady president in Northallerton Rotary Club," she said. "I have lots of ideas to encourage participation in the club and involvement in the community, and I know that my colleagues will give me every support. I am looking forward to a memorable year ahead."

The Rotary Club of Northallerton meets every Friday at the Golden Lion Hotel at 12pm for 12.30pm for a single-course lunch followed normally by an informative talk. For more details contact Secretary Les Crelling on 01609 770692 or visit northallertonrotary.org.uk.