A DAY of celebrations has taken place in Hampshire to mark the centenary of Rotary International.

With much fanfare the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Dennis Harryman, revealed a commemorative clock which stands at the top of Above Bar Street pedestrian precinct.

But the festivities continued through the day and in Winchester the presidents of the oldest clubs in the district gathered on a 1931 double-decker bus before heading off to a reception in Winchester Guildhall.

At the clock unveiling, John Caldwell, president of the Rotary Club in Southampton, said: "For some years the Above Bar precinct has been without a prominent clock and it was my hope that this could be put right by the installation of a clock once again."

Six Rotary clubs in the city contributed to the scheme - Eastleigh, Hamble Valley, Southampton, Southampton East, Southampton Magna and Southampton West.

Cllr Harryman said: "If Southampton stands for anything it is history and tradition and up until a few years ago there was a clock in Above Bar. It was always a meeting place and stood out. Since it went something has been missing."

He added that he was delighted when Rotarians approached him and asked if they could replace it.

"I don't think people understand the work that is done by Rotarians and the money raised for good causes," said Cllr Harryman.

"The city wouldn't survive without organisations like the Rotary."

Rotary International was formed in 1905 in the USA but the oldest branch in Southampton was formed in 1918.

They have helped both locally and internationally and clubs in the south have raised more than £600,000 for the tsunami appeal.

After the clock unveiling, the celebrations moved to Winchester where past and present members gathered outside the cathedral on a 1931 bus provided by Friends of King Arthur Buses. David Pike, governor for Rotary in the south, then led more than 1,000 Rotarians from Hampshire, Dorset, south Wiltshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands in a special centenary service at the cathedral

To mark the Rotary Club's centenary the Daily Echo will be publish a special supplement on Tuesday.