WHEN Durham MG Club was founded in February 2001, it had only 13 members.

Three years on, the group of classic car enthusiasts has grown to more than 150, forcing it to find a new venue for its monthly meetings.

Originally, the club met at Durham's Cock of the North hotel, but its expanding membership has meant it moving to the Cathedral Suite of the Hallgarth Manor Hotel, at High Pittington, near Durham.

The club was founded after Derek Pickering, regional secretary of the MG Owners Club for the North-East, was approached by a number of local enthusiasts who were keen to see a Durham branch.

But even ardent fan Mr Pickering, who owns two classic MGs and two new models, has been surprised at the enthusiasm for the group.

He said that at every meeting - held on the second Wednesday of the month - there have been new recruits, with as many as 20 joining on one evening.

And though the group is mainly an MG club, owners of other classic cars are welcome. At present, there are 201 vehicles registered with the club, of which 175 are MGs.

All MG owners are eligible to join, whether their cars are classic or new vehicles.

Anyone interested in joining can contact Mr Pickering on 0191-386 8239.