THE women of Welshpool marked the centenary of the first time women could cast a vote with a march through the town on Friday evening.

Not all women had the vote yet but a century ago, on December 14, 1918, two-thirds of the total population of women in the UK were able to exercise their franchise in a general election.

Women, providing they were over 30 and they or their husbands were an occupier of property, were able to vote in a general election for the first time.

This had been called by prime minister David Lloyd George immediately after the armistice which ended the first world war. Eight and a half million women were eligible to vote following the extension of the franchise in the Representation of the People Act 1918.

There was a good turnout on a damp Welshpool evening to mark this important date.

At the invite of Welshpool Town Council on Friday approximately 120 women took part in the march from the car park opposite the Tourist Information Centre to the Town Hall.

There were banners, rosettes, lamps and some wonderful outfits.

Among them was Welshpool Town Crier Tammy Manuel.

The march was due to set off at 7pm but went at 6.45pm due to the cold and effect that would have on the elderly and the very cold night.

At the Town Hall there was a ceremony with history read out, a beacon lit and a plaque unveiled (to be afixed on the Town Hall).

There were refreshments in the Town Hall and a letter was read out with a minute's silence in memory.

The town was and will remain lit (over the weekend) in Purple, Green and White – the suffragettes' Colours.

The town council's website had the message: "Well done to all, a memorable event."