THE oldest president in Sale Rotary Club’s history has handed over his chain of office to the youngest ever team of successors.

Outgoing president John Taylor, aged 89, has been succeeded by 39-year-old James Eisen.

James Eisen, of Worthington Road, is a driving instructor and owner of Sale’s ‘L-Test’ school of motoring.

The president elect, who only joined the club last year but will succeed James, is 28-year-old Gareth Trehearn of Windsor Avenue, Sale, a director of the ‘Helpful Home’ cleaning company.

“One of the serious problems facing Rotary at the moment is the average age of its members,” said James.

“But Sale is bucking that trend and attracting new members who are well below the average age.”

They also include 35-year-old extreme marathon runner Carl Cleghorn, who last year finished in the front half of runners after the six-day, 156-mile Marathon des Sables race over Sahara sand dunes.

“The young rotarians at Sale are the envy of many surrounding rotary clubs,” said outgoing president Mr Taylor, an 89-year-old RAF war veteran who navigated Lancaster bombers and took part in the D-Day invasion.

“I envy their youth and look forward to seeing how their energy and vision take our club towards its 80th year.”