FOUR members of Hereford Lions Club have been honoured for long and distinguished service to Lions International, the global humanitarian and community aid organisation which this year celebrates its centenary.

At the city club's 57th Charter dinner three members, George Thomas, Colin Smith and Martin Exell were inducted to the Melvin Jones Fellowship, named after the Chicago businessman who founded the movement which today has 46,000 clubs worldwide. It is the highest award to be granted to an individual member. Between them the quartet of Lions has 112 years of dedicated community service.

Keith Martin, with 43 years service and already a member of the Melvin Jones Fellowship was given the rare honour of being admitted to the highly ranked Founders Fellowship granted to those with a record of exemplary and dedicated humanitarian service to the community.

Said club president, David Hartland: "These are four members who throughout their long association with the club have upheld the highest ideals of Lions International set a century ago. They have set an example for others to follow."