A WHOLE host of events greeted visitors to an International Women's Day which was celebrated in style.

At King George's Hall, Blackburn, more than 300 guests attended workshops and activities including a Blackburn Rovers ticket give away.

Blackburn with Darwen councillor and vice-chair of the International Women's Week Committee, Dorothy Walsh, said, "We support this celebration that aims to value the diversity of women's contributions to activities with the local community and beyond."

Earlier, a multi-cultural event was organised for women at the Audley Community Centre in Chester Street.

The event, organised by the Queen's Park and Audley Youth Information Project, was attended by the Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Jacqueline Humphrys. It aimed to make women more aware of different cultures and to encourage women to do things on their own initiative.

The event was assisted by Audley Community Centre staff and thanks go to the small grants programme for contributing to the fashion show.

Accrington women joined the world-wide celebrations of women with an event at the New Era complex in Paradise Street.

The event was sponsored by Lancashire Adult Education and was supported by hundreds of guests.

Organiser Gail Knight said, "The event means different things to different women around the world. In some countries women are respected and in others that have fewer advantages as we do in the west."

The Hyndburn Women's Forum was given £1,028 to help fund International Women's Day.

The money came from the Community Chest, funds from central government to be distributed to local community groups in Hyndburn.

In Preston, the Deepdale Women's Action Group held an open day to celebrate women's achievements. The event took place at the Quaker Meeting House on St George's Road and included a series of displays, information stands, henna painting and dress-making.

Twenty women of achievement were also featured in a display organised by University of Central Lancashire students Lorraine Campbell and Rebecca Cook.

The students are studying a Social Work and Welfare course. Among the women featured was Asian Image columnist Anila Baig, Janet Faqiri (community journalist for the Deepdale Dialogue), Poppy Tanna (Pukar in Preston), Charu Ainscough (Sahara in Preston).