The president of Ledbury Rotary Club, retired vet Neal Farr, has been asked to help with an international fundraising drive to eradicate Polio from the planet by 2005.

He has been appointed chairman of the Rotary Club District Committee of Polio Eradication.

Mr Farr said: "Rotary will be looking for the continued support of the people of Ledbury.

"The Rotary Club worldwide is spearheading a major campaign to wipe out poliomyelitis. Huge progress has already been made. The number of cases annually has fallen from 350,000 to about 500 in the past 15 years, due to the very extensive use of the oral polio vaccine.

"Ledbury Rotary Club has been a leading club in the district in this respect."

In February 2000, the Ledbury club was praised by the World Health Organisation for raising more than £17,000 in just two years, towards the polio eradication programme.

The money came from a number of events, including a sponsored cycle ride in the Loire Valley in France and various sponsored runs and community events.

Ledbury Rotary Club managed to raise £11,009 itself, with "match funding" of £6,000 from the national body .

Now Rotary International has set itself a worldwide fundraising target of £55m in the coming year. Ledbury Club will be planning further fundraising activities and looking for continued community support and donations.

Mr Farr said: "The race is now on to grasp the window of opportunity and rid the world of polio before it can return to our shores.

"The disease is now confined to only 10 countries, including some of the poorest and war torn lands on the planet." Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the appeal should contact Mr Farr on 01531 890615.