When long-term friends Stan Harman and Dave Robson started bingo calling for Otley's pensioners they made a pact that if one left, so would the other.

So when Stan died on Christmas Eve, former community policeman Dave decided it was time to give up his role.

For more than 30 years the pair were great friends, work colleagues in the police force and volunteers for Otley Action for Older People, the organisation that looks after the needs of Wharfedale's pensioners.

They were asked to run a pilot scheme for bingo sessions in Otley's RAOB (Buff) Club.

The Monday fun proved so popular that Stan and Dave became regular features and they did not look back in the five years since they started.

Dave said: "Stan and I go back a long way, and the bingo on Monday was something we both did together.

"We decided that when one of us had to give up, we would both stop, because it wouldn't be the same with just one of us.

"They are such a smashing group down there and there are some people who started when Otley Action for Older People started, who still come every Monday."

But for Dave, who lives in Tranmere Park, Guiseley, the decision was not an easy one to make.

He said: "We have all had a great laugh and a joke so I feel sad, a lot sad, to be giving it up, but there is just something in my heart that says it won't be the same with just me and I couldn't do it with anyone else.

"The position needs to go to two people really, because there is more work than you think.

"It does take four hours on a Monday out of your time, but it is not just the bingo calling.

"There is money to handle, the machine to set up and raffle tickets to sell for the break in the middle."

Dave wants to leave at the end of the month, but a replacement caller is needed for the long-term. As well as knowing the difference between legs eleven and two fat ladies, Dave said that the person or people who take over would need to be prepared to take money and sell raffle and bingo tickets.

He said: "They need to be a peoples person and ideally two friends like me and Stan were would be a good idea."

Sue Trainor, development worker for OAOP, urged anyone who would like to volunteer to contact her.

She said: "We really need somebody to come forward and help us out.

"The role would be voluntary, but it is good fun and between 30 and 35 people come along each time and have a great time."

l Anyone interested in helping can contact Sue Trainor from OAOP on (01943) 463965.