A Rotary club has appointed its first female president.

Clarice Wahlich has been elected the new president of the Rotary Club of Royston – the first woman to hold the position in the club’s 50 year history.

But in her acceptance speech she told members: “Much has been said about me being the first woman president – but I see myself as a Rotarian who happens to be a woman.”

She takes over from Ray Munden, who she praised as being a “tower of strength” during the past 12 months.

“He put an enormous amount of time and energy into Rotary and can look back with pride at what he has achieved,” she said.

Vice-president will be David Williams, a former RAF officer who worked for the Willow Foundation, the charity set up by ex-Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

Clarice, a former teacher at Greneway School, Royston, who has been a member of the Rotary Club of Royston for the past 10 years, said she is aiming to ensure the next 12 months become “an excellent year for all Rotarians”.

“We all come with different strengths and I shall be calling on the expertise of members throughout the year. It’s this diversity which enables us to be such a successful club,” she added.

Her chosen charity for the year will be Alzheimer’s Research UK.