THE story of how women went to war will be told at the weekend.

During the First World War, Army officials felt that a woman's place was definitely not in uniform.

But despite their opposition, the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps was set up in 1917, to be followed in 1918 by the Women's Royal Naval Service and the Women's Royal Air Force.

Simon Moody, from the National Army Museum, in London, will chart the history of the services in a talk in Durham City on Saturday.

He will be giving a slide-show and talk at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery at 2pm.

He said: "Before the First World War, women had never before had a role in the armed forces, and when the idea was suggested, there was considerable and powerful opposition.

"Lord Derby was against women's enlistment because he feared that the Germans would treat any captured women as civilians 'dressed up', rather than as soldiers."

The talk will look at the jobs servicewomen did and the problems of integrating them into the male services.

Tickets cost £3.50, concessions are £2.50 and £1.50 for season ticket holders. They are available at the door.