THE new president of Haddington Rotary Club has vowed to strengthen links with the community.

Neil Forbes took on the role last month and was presented with the chain of office by outgoing president Malcolm Collins.

The 60-year-old, who has lived in the town for 39 years, was looking forward to working with the community.

He said: “I feel we were not maximising our work in the community.

“I want Rotary to be seen more in the community, become more involved in community projects and working more with the community.”

Mr Forbes, who is behind Saltire Executive Golf and Travel, joined the town’s Rotary club three years ago.

He went through the election process and was unveiled as the new president in a socially distanced ceremony without audience last month.

Mr Forbes, who was a police constable for 30 years, said: “I am very much looking forward to working with fellow Rotarians, schools and community and charitable organisations in the coming year.

“I hope we can continue to make a difference in our local community and internationally.”

Now, Mr Forbes, who has two children and four grandchildren, is focusing on his tour operator business, which features golf, whisky and historic tours, having previously been at the helm of Haddington’s Tyneside Tavern for four years.