WI still popular as 100th birthday approaches

Amongst the new activities, cooking is still popular Credit: ITV News West Country

It's got over 200,000 members, more than 20,000 new ones in one year alone. Some women, it's reported, have been queuing for hours just to sign up.

We are talking about the Women's Institute. It's about to celebrate it's centenary and it is more popular than ever.

The women's institute came from Canada and started in Britain in 1915. During the first world war it was formed to encourage countrywomen to get involved in growing and preserving food.

It is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK. In the last year alone more than 20,000 new members have join and the stereotypical image is changing.

The group in Clifton in Bristol is learning the art of flamenco dancing Credit: ITV News West Country

Next year the Women's Institute will be celebrating their 100th birthday in Britain. The faces and traditions may have changed but the friendship values and bonds still remain as strong as ever.

Watch Ellie Barker's report below: