WOMEN in County Durham have celebrated International Women's Day.

Durham's Keenan House, home to families of international students from Durham University, hosted a meet the neighbours event organised by its weekly ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) group.

Christine Smithson, one of the organisers said: "Some of the women feel quite isolated sometimes, so this is an opportunity for them to meet other women who live in Keenan House and the wider community."

Women were encouraged to speak to each other in an ice-breaking exercise followed by presentations from the ESOL group explaining about life in countries from Europe to South East Asia.

Other activities included salsa dancing workshops, Indian head massage, henna painting and melon carving.

Keenan House resident Tanya Aybay, from Belarus, said: "The event was very nice, we should have more events like this."

ESOL group tutor Jane Varley said: "I'm really pleased there are so many people talking to each other and there's such a supportive atmosphere."

In Darlington town centre, women were invited to sign a petition to highlight the plight of thousands of women and young girls who will be trafficked to Germany for prostitution during this summer's World Cup.

Darlington Borough Council's women's officer, Councillor Cyndi Hughes, who organised the event, said: "The response was excellent despite the miserable weather."

She collected more than 100 signatures in an hour, including one from the council's chief executive Ada Burns.

She added: "Many young people who stopped to sign the petition were shocked to find out about these crimes."

The petition will be sent to President Barroso, head of the European Commission.