AROUND 250 gathered in Furness to enjoy a packed programme of events to celebrate International Women's Day.

Organised by Cumbria Westmorland Federation of Women's Institutes, the event took place in Ulverston's Coronation Hall.

On the agenda was a Thai cookery demonstration, and talks that included one from Meg Fletcher from the Kinamba Community Project. The project provides educational opportunities for the poorest and most vulnerable people of the Urugero and Umutaka communities in the Kinamba area of Kigali, Rwanda.

There was also a sari wearing competition and lunch was homemade soup, rolls and the traditional WI traybakes.

Lillian Berry, who sits on the Cumbria Westmorland Federation of WI's board of trustees, said that it had been an 'inspiring' day.

"The WI is all about teaching," she said, explaining why it was important to hear from women who worked around the world. "That's why the WI was started - it was all about teaching. It's always been about learning and being part of what's going on in the world.

"We have got internet and broadband and we see it on the news but sometimes we have to see it in person for it to register that these things are going on.

"The people are here and they have get that compassion for the cause they are doing - it's inspiring."