A ‘get to know us day’ by Skipton Lions Club has been declared a great success.

The club, which has seen a fall in members, took over an empty shop in Skipton High Street last week when members tried to encourage more people to join.

Zone chairman, David McDowell, said: “We had plenty of visitors thanks in large part to one of our members, George Chapman, who dressed in a felt lions suit and put in a great performance.”

A follow up meeting is to be held on Monday at Herriots Hotel, Skipton.

“We had interest from about a dozen people and are hopeful that some will come along to Herriots Hotel on Monday. Everyone is welcome, and we hope this will lead to a revival in the membership of the club,” said David.

The Skipton club, which was founded in 1964, has played a large part in engaging with local community projects. As a volunteer organisation, all money raised goes directly to charity with all administration costs met by members.

“With the support of the public, we have donated £22,000 in the past two years, the major part of which has been spent in Craven,” said David.

“Much of this has gone to help young people through schools, sports clubs and groups such as the Sick Children’s Trust, Candlelighters and Skipton Extended Learning. Facilities have been funded at the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at Airedale Hospital and the dialysis unit at Skipton General Hospital.”

He added others who had benefited were Carers Resource, Craven Volunteers, the Beamsley Project, Skipton Blind Club and Skipton Flower Fund.

“To keep the club going we are appealing to civic minded individuals to come along and find out more about how we live up to our motto: ordinary people doing amazing things,” he said.

Monday’s meeting at Herriots Hotel will start at 7.30pm for 8pm.