A CELEBRATION of local women will be aired on Thursday when Bolton FM marks International Women’s Day.

The whole of the day’s broadcast is given over to female presenters and guests, starting with Vicky Hawkswoth from 7am to 9am. Her guests include Nicola Hodkinson and Kat Healey from Seddon Construction and Saiqa Chaudhari from the Bolton News.

From 9am to 11am, retired educator and businesswoman Pat Dickson will join freelance journalist Angela Kelly in conversation with a variety of local women. As the nation marks 100 years since the Suffragette movement, the theme will be all about challenges and how women have made a difference and continue to do so.

Their guests include the new Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, chair of Bolton Hospice Judith Bromley, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, long-time activist for women’s rights Eileen Murphy and Bolton businesswoman Joanne Ramsden.

Dawn Lythgoe from Bolton Council will host further guests from 11am to 1pm, as will well-known actress Sue Devaney from 1pm to 3pm. Her guests include charity campaigner Elizabeth Tatman MBE and representatives from Fortalice, the town’s refuge for women and children escaping domestic abuse.

From 3pm to 6pm, Dorothy Gordon, Caroline, Sophia and Lucia Cardillo will talk to guests from the world of education and leisure. There is Foodie Thursday with Jojo from 6pm to 7pm, Tina Ghandi from 7pm to 8pm, Midweek Spot with Lucy Inman chatting to local sportswomen from 8pm to 10pm. And Judith Bromley is back from 10pm to midnight with her special guests.

Bolton FM chairman Andrew Dickson said: “It feels really important to celebrate the role women have played in the success of our town. This is the third year running that Bolton FM has done this and we always get a great response from our listeners.”

Bolton FM is on 96.5FM or online at www.boltonfm.com click “listen live”.