A companionship group for men who have been through life-changing events has been celebrating its success.

Men @ Eccy Meccy put on a presentation and awards ceremony at Eccleshill Mechanics Institute yesterday to mark how far it had come in the 18 months since it began.

The group has grown from a core of a handful of stalwart members to more than 30 people who meet every Tuesday to catch up, get support and have a laugh.

Members include those from Eccleshill who would otherwise be home alone, who have been through a bereavement or have experienced some other life-altering event.

To find out more about the group, e-mail men@eccymeccy. org