NEWENT Wine Circle's success continued at its annual meeting.

The club is probably the biggest of its kind in Gloucestershire, with a record 72 regulars and people travelling in from as far away as Ross and Coleford.

Chairman Tony Parsons said: "We have become a countywide club, and it is strange really. Other clubs say they are as big as us, but we regularly get 50 or 60 people at our meetings."

Mr Parsons put the success of the club partly down to its social programme.

The club raised £271 at the last Onion Fayre with its wine based tombola and this went to Sheppard House day centre.

The club is well known for its annual overseas trips, which are open to all-comers. Previous locations have included Italy and Spain.

Places are still available for a ten-day summer coach tour to the Dordogne and Bordeaux regions of France later this year.

Mr Parsons, who was relected chairman at the AGM, said: "This will be the fourth or fifth time we've been to France, and we've done most of the other areas."

For details on the club ring 01531 821372.