ONE hundred years ago Rotary was established by four business men in Chicago. Today it has 1.2m members, across 166 countries, who are celebrating its 100th birthday.

Jenny Haworth found out what it means to be a Rotarian and what local clubs achieve for Wiltshire communities...

Members of Rotary clubs across Wiltshire joined in celebrations to mark the organisation's 100th anniversary this week.

The global movement began 100 years ago in Chicago when four businessmen decided they wanted to do their bit for the community.

Today Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" is followed by 59,000 members of 1,835 Rotary clubs across the UK.

The name "rotary" stems from the way they held their meetings, rotating between each other's houses or offices.

In west and north Wiltshire each town has a long-standing club, mainly made up of male members over the age of 60.

And since Rotary rules changed in 1989 to allow women into clubs, some new clubs have sprung up, such as Wessex Mead in Trowbridge and the Rotary Club of Wiltshire Vale in Chippenham, which aim to attract younger members and more women.

Wessex Mead, founded in March 2002, is the youngest club in the district and the only one with a female president. It is also highly unusual in that it has a 50:50 split of men and women.

Club president Louise Knox said: "Whilst it's an aspiration they also accept that many of the older established clubs are very against the idea. There has to be a balance between opening it up to new members and losing existing members."

Each Rotary club in the region has an array of impressive achievements to its name and takes its responsibility to the community very seriously.

Some key achievements of Rotary in general include Kids Out, an event in June, which gives special needs children and their carers a day out.

Rotarians across the district have also raised about £300,000 for tsunami victims

They have also set up a Life Education caravan, that tours schools to educate pupils about the dangers of drug-taking and smoking.

Rotarian presidents across the region agree that, although the form of Rotary clubs may change, the movement will certainly be around for another 100 years.

As the stereotypical image of Rotary changes from an old men's club to an inclusive, forward-thinking organisation, club presidents think it is bound to attract new members.

As Louise explains, to provide a perfect forum for working people to get involved in the community, fitting it around their working day is crucial.