BRIAN Little has taken over as president of Devizes Rotary Club.

At a recent club meeting he paid tribute to out-going president Bob Akerman. He praised the inspired way Mr Akerman had led the club during the past year during which it had raised large sums of money for the Arthritis Research Campaign and a host of other local good causes.

Mr Little also thanked Mr Akerman for re-introducing the social side of the club. Mr Little was born in Market Lavington and educated locally. After completing his National Service he returned to the Devizes area where he married his wife Daphne.

The couple then moved to their present home in Coate.

Mr Little set up his own fire extinguisher business in 1982 after ten years in partnership in a similar business.

His wife is the head of the IT department at the Devizes Branch College for Further Education. They have a daughter, Clare, a former pupil of Dauntsey's School and a university graduate.

Rotarian Sidney Jaques said: "Brian joined the club in 1976 and has always been a popular member and is well known for his mischievous sense of fun. I foresee a lively, rewarding, enjoyable year ahead."

Mr Little's chosen charity is the British Heart Foundation.