INSPIRATIONAL women from Bolton took to the airwaves to mark International Women's Day.

Bolton FM are led the celebrations yesterday by featuring all female guests and presenters to reflect the passion and drive woman living or working in the borough have for their town.

International Women's Day: Girl power at work

Among the guests featured was Cllr Linda Thomas, leader of Bolton Council who said the town was proud to have a long list of inspirational women who made and are continuing to make locally and nationally.

She told The Bolton News: "Every woman stands on the shoulders of those brave and pioneering women who came before us.

"That feeling is no more real than when I walk down our Women’s Corridor in the Albert Halls.

"Portraits of Bolton’s Bold Women — and two of my dearest friends — Rosa Kay and Sufrana Bashir-Ismail line the walls, alongside Suffragette Mary Barnes from Farnworth, the council’s first female Chief Executive Margaret Asquith and Bolton’s Baronesses Taylor and Morris, to name a few."

She added: "When I became Leader of the Council in February, I said that it was a huge privilege to take on this role and lead Bolton Council 100 years to the day that women got the right vote.

"It is a privilege in particular because of the platform it gives me today to show and tell women across Bolton to believe that nowadays gender should not be a barrier to anyone’s ambitions.

"There are more women than ever in the Labour movement, they are getting active with local issues that matter to their families and their communities, which is wonderful to see.

"Although we have come a long way, we know there is much further to go. We have seen the news in the latter part of last year and into 2018 dominated by earthquakes in inequality but they are growing pains which we must endure.

"We do not want favours, just equal treatment which acknowledges the valuable contributions women make across all walks of life."

Other guests who appeared included retired educator and businesswoman Pat Dickson will join freelance journalist Angela Kelly, chairman of Bolton Hospice Judith Bromley, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, long-time activist for women’s rights Eileen Murphy and Bolton businesswoman Joanne Ramsden along with many other.

Keith Harris, general manager of Bolton FM, said: "This is the third year we have celebrated International Women's Day in this way.

"It has been an absolutely unbelievable success. A radio station in Ireland found out what we were doing and asked for a live link.

"We wanted to celebrate and recognise that women are equal in every way and they are a driving force in everything they do and have a passion for Bolton."