Celebrating a century of votes for women

You can watch a report by ITV's Chloe Keedy by clicking below.

February 6 marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving some women over 30 the right to vote in Britain.

It was the first breakthrough for campaigners following years of bitter struggle. The Suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett, lobbied parliament peacefully. The Suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, fought using militant tactics.

The slow progress of the peaceful protesters left many women angry and in 1903 Women's Social and Political Union was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia.

A century on, Emmeline's great grand-daughter Helen Pankhurst has told ITV News that although she would be pleased with some aspects of progress for women's rights, she'd also be frustrated that things haven't moved on more.

Nancy Astor became the first female MP to take her seat in Parliament in 1919.

The next big milestone wasn’t until 1997 - when for the first time over a hundred women were voted in as MPs. Maria Eagle, elected for the first time that year, says it was a watershed moment.

In 2017, more than 200 women were voted in to parliament, beating a previous high of 196. However, still only a 1/3 of the total number of MPs are women.

Therese Coffey won her seat in Suffolk Coastal in 2010, becoming the first female ever to sit in it. She told ITV News, 'I have to admit some of the people who are my strongest supporters now ... they came into the room not expecting to select a woman. There are still some things where people's paradigm of what a Member of Parliament should be needs to be continually refreshed.'

Westminster will honour Suffragist Millicent Fawcett with a statue later this year. She will be the first woman to stand on a pedestal in Parliament Square.