A HUGE party took place at the Steam Museum to mark the centenary of the region’s Women's Institute.

The event celebrating the Wiltshire Federation of WI's milestone welcomed 60 of the area’s 124 branches to the centre for a full programme of activities.

Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, officially opened the festivities, which featured demonstrations including chocolate making, jewellery making and beauty treatments.

Diane McLaren, from the federation and one of the event’s organisers, said it had been a great success.

"I think today has been really good and I have thoroughly enjoyed it," she said.

"The feedback that I’m getting is that the ladies have really had a great deal of fun and it has been a fantastic occasion."

Shauna Bodman, also from the federation, said it was nice to see groups from across the country all together.

"It has been very good getting people together from the north and south of Wiltshire. I have really enjoyed being able to catch up with so many people that we don’t normally get to see," she said.

One of the highlights of the day was a performance by, Defence Academy Military Wives Choir, who wowed the crowd of 600 members.

Anna Vincent-Hill, from the choir, said: “It is great to be invited here to perform. There is so much going on and it is a joy for us to be able to perform in front of such a strong group of women.”

The celebration had a wide range of stalls selling handmade cards, honey, jewellery and chocolate. Many of the stallholders had previously given talks and demonstrations at WI branches across Wiltshire.

One of those was Ceri Cryer, from Brinkworth Diary, which is based at Hill End Farm.

She said: “I’ve been going to see so many WIs recently doing workshops and it has been wonderful being her today to catch up with the ladies.”

Other attractions included a raffle, quiz and a performance by New College students with festivities being drawn to a close by Swindon Mayor Teresa Page.

For more on the Women's Institute, log on to www.thewi.org.uk.