A GROUP which strives to improve the lives of women and girls has visited the grave of a North-East suffragette to mark the centenary of some women earning the right to vote.

To mark one hundred years since the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave some women the right to vote, President Dot Hales of Soroptimist International Durham and club members visited the grave of Emily Wilding Davison in Northumberland.

A bouquet in Suffragette colours was laid at her grave. Ms Wilding Davison died for the Votes for Women cause under the feet of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913.

Vyvyenne Mack, joint president elect, said the group wanted to personally acknowledge Ms Wilding Davison's sacrifice.

She said“One of the objects of Soroptimism is to advance the status of women.

“As a group of women we felt that Emily Wilding Davison had made the ultimate sacrifice to advance the status of women.

“In this 100th anniversary year of the Representation of the People Act – when women finally got the vote - we felt should personally acknowledge her sacrifice and be grateful that women like her were prepared to do and give so much to advance the status of women.”