Emmeline Pankhurst's great-granddaughter hails coin marking vote centenary

Credit: PA

The great-granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst has struck a commemorative 50p coin to mark the centenary of the passing through Parliament of the Representation of the People Act.

The coin was designed by Stephen Taylor who modelled the queuing people on his family Credit: PA

Dr Helen Pankhurst was at the Royal Mint in South Wales to mark the moment 100 years ago - on February 6 1918 - when women were finally given the right to vote.

Servicemen over the age of 19, men over 21, and women over the age of 30 and "of property" were allowed to vote in elections for the first time.

Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the Women's Social and Political Union and a major force in the Suffragette movement, being arrested as she tried to present a petition at Buckingham Palace. Credit: PA

Speaking after she had struck a coin, Dr Pankhurst said: "I am really proud that this coin has come out to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People Act."

The coin was designed by Royal Mint graphic designer Stephen Taylor, who modelled the queuing people on his wife and children.

Helen Antrobus, of the People's History Museum in Manchester, added: "It's really great to see a Representation of the People Act 1918 50p amongst the new coin designs for 2018.

"I wish it were possible for all of us to carry one in our pockets to carry forward that message of equality first started by the Act 100 years ago, reminding us that we still have work to do."

Coins bearing the design are likely to be seen in circulation later this year.