The fight for equality for women is not over, warned Dover mayor Sue Jones.

She spoke out when hosting her town council's first celebration of International Women's Day.

She told her audience: "We come together as equals, not just to celebrate but to recognise the fight is not over.

" There are women and young girls in every country on Earth being denied the right to quality of life, a voice and a future.

Please take that thought with you and find ways to be a further instrument of change for them."

The celebration was held last Saturday at the town council chamber at Maison Dieu House in Biggin Street.

Other speakers included Dawn Madison from the arts charity Dover smART and Paula Elliott, director of Dover Pitman’s Training.

They spoke about women’s achievements in their sector.

Both Ms Madison and Ms Elliott who celebrates 20 years running her business this year, discussed how far women have come towards equal opportunities and how far there is to go.

The evening ended with singing led by a ladies' choir organised by Cllr Miriam Wood.

There was a raffle with the first prize of a quilt given by a local stitcher.

Proceeds from that and donations went to the Mayor’s Charities, the Alzheimer’s Society and Dover Outreach Centre for the homeless.

International Women's Day, on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women but also calls for more gender balance.

This year the theme is #BalanceforBetter – meaning that the world would be a better place if men and women could both make full contributions to community life.