WITHIN three months of joining Hereford Lions Club, John Burgoyne had been elected treasurer of the club and he is still in charge of the cash 21 years later, having had just one year off to serve as club president.

At the clubs 45th Charter Dinner his fellow members honoured John with a Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest award given to members of the world-wide community service organisation and named after the movement's founder.

Club president Mike Hughes said: "John has been an outstanding clubman for well over two decades but in his role as treasurer he has been exceptional and well deserving of the Lions Clubs' top award, only four of which have been awarded in the 45 year history of the club."

Lyonshall-born John served the old Midland Bank for 37 years, retiring as the small business account manager at the Hereford branch.