A PIONEERING charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary and seeking new blood to help it survive.

Chorley Oxfam Campaigns Group was the first of its kind in the country.

It was founded in response to a famine in Ethiopia by the late Dorothy Bassett, a solicitor who moved to Chorley from the south of England.

Although Oxfam charity shops had been in existence for longer, Mrs Bassett thought more could be done to raise awareness of problems faced by developing countries and to rally national support for the cause.

Local group member Mrs Julie Dixon, said: "Over the past twenty years the people of Chorley have given lots of support to the group.

"We have held many successful fund-raising events, we have given talks in schools and run market stalls that have been very popular.

"We have had donations from all kinds of sources and people of all denominations came to services for peace that we held.

"Chorley Council has also adopted several resolutions to help the developing world."

Mrs Dixon added that despite this support, its actual membership was very small. But it was hoping to expand and would welcome anyone - young or old - wishing to join.

She said: "We would love new members."

Anyone wanting more information about the group can contact Keith Hargreaves on 01257 269861 (evenings and weekends).