A VILLAGE women's group has been forced to call it a day after 53 years.

The last surviving members of Astley Women's Institute are saddened that the December meeting was their last.

The demise has been attributed to falling membership and the increasing cost of speakers.

President of 11 years, Betty Bailey, said: "We could not face another year. It is regrettable that after over half a century our meetings have had to end, especially as we have so little social life available in Astley and when we think back to the 1980s when we were 75 strong.

"We only had 11 members left and we found it hard going, but at least we feel we have left our mark."

The women celebrated their golden jubilee year with a difference by planting a rowan tree, which is growing in the heritage grounds of Astley's Dam House.

At that time the group, which met on the first Wednesday of the month in the village's Pensioners' Centre, were appealing for new, younger members to keep the group alive, and found it hard to attract membership because older people are afraid to go out in the evenings.

Betty said the remaining members are hoping to keep in touch and organise a get together in the New Year - and maybe form their own women's group.