Croydon Area Gay Society (CAGS) has reported a dramatic increase in its membership.

The number of people in the society is up 35 per cent compared to last year. David Page, chair of CAGS, said: "It's very encouraging that we are increasing our numbers at a time when a number of groups have been struggling".

Ross Burgess, membership secretary, said some of the group's new members had come from the Croydon LGBT Forum, which closed during the summer.

He added: "We're still far from reflecting the makeup of Croydon's gay community as a whole and would very much welcome more women, more young people and more people from ethnic minorities."

- Anyone interested in hearing more about CAGS should telephone David on 020 8686 1550 or Geoff on 020 8651 0292.