A women's group who would have marked their 47th anniversary in Shipley this summer have been forced to close.

The Shipley Townswomen's Guild started in 1959 and at one time could fill coaches with members. Now, they say, the group can just fill a minibus.

Initially a high demand to join the guild - a national organisation similar to the Women's Institute - meant hopeful members had to sign onto a waiting list.

Activities included social events, amateur dramatics and singing in a choir, as well as the monthly tradition of hosting a public speaker.

Numbers have now dwindled to about 25, and only the monthly speakers' meetings and occasional parties remain.

And members' average age is mid-70s.

"We have all grown old together, it is sad," said founding member, and treasurer, Mary Ackroyd, 79.

Mrs Ackroyd said many of the committee members had been working for many years but no new candidates would step in to fill their shoes.

She said: "Audrey Greenwood has been secretary and I have been treasurer for a long, long time. We cannot go on forever."

Secretary for 16 years, Miss Greenwood, 80, said she had joined just after the group were founded.

She added: "People don't want to join organisations like this now.

"When it was thriving we used to have two outings a year. We used to take coach-loads, now we just fill a mini-bus."

Miss Greenwood said the quality of speakers had been excellent over the years, but said it had been a difficult task to find different people to speak each month for 16 years.

A final group meeting with a speaker will be held at 2pm on January 24 in Shipley Library.

Local man and after-dinner-speaker Terry Slocombe will be addressing members and their guests on the subject of the Lighter Side of the Law.

Miss Greenwood said she was hoping for a good turn-out at the final event.

"Anyone can come as a visitor and it would be nice. We want to make our final meeting a memorable one," she said.

The Shipley Townswomen's Guild originally met in Shipley's Victoria Hall, but was forced to move during refurbishment, to Shipley Library for regular meetings.

Baildon Townswomen's Guild has offered places to the Shipley members, but Miss Greenwood thought it unlikely anyone would join the branch.