SOROPTOMIST International Barry and District have welcomed a new member to their club.

Gail Lancaster was inducted into the group earlier this month by club president Jackie Memory, after previously attending a number of meetings and being inspired by the club's wide variety of projects.

Ms Lancaster was born in Chicago in the United States before emigrating to Scotland as a child. She moved to Wales in 1970, attending Barry Girls Grammar School, before studying for a degree and becoming an estates surveyor.

From 2000-2016 she worked for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in the estates department and continues to work as a court secretary for The Ancient Order of the Foresters.

Presenting Ms Lancaster with her badge, Ms Memory said she hoped her new colleague would enjoy being a Soroptomist as much as she had herself over the past 28 years.