People from across Dorset came together to be part of an event in Dorchester celebrating the achievements of women.

Hundreds spilled through the doors of the Dorford Centre on Saturday for Dorset Women's Day, coordinated by Woman’s Action Network Dorset (WAND).

The event, which was the culmination of Dorset Women's Week, featured stalls, music, workshops and special guests, including a special Q and A session with author Minette Walters.

It is the fourteenth time the event has taken place and this year it followed the #BalanceforBetter theme of International Women’s Day, promoting a gender-balanced world.

Maria Clarke, WAND chairman, said: "We've had a lot of great workshops going on, and lots of thriving stalls. It's a really good celebration of bringing women together to celebrate International Women's Day."

From 10.45am, visitors took part in workshops and some got to try out new things such as belly dancing, herbalism, singing and cross-stitch.

Carrie Diamond and Annette Parker ran the 'Fun with Flowers' workshop at the event.

Carrie said: "We had a full house which was lovely with a mixture of ages. Some were children, some were mums and some were elderly, and they all completed a beautiful display.

"We've been doing this for four years now and we always enjoy coming back and sharing the day with everyone."

Annette added: "It's good to get people in here trying different things. It's friendly enough for people to come here on their own."

Ambassadors for the 50:50 campaign, promoting more women to get into government, attended the event.

Janine Miller said: "We're trying to reduce some of the barriers to women standing as or working as MPs. The commitment that is involved for some is unrealistic for a lot of working families."

Hilary Maxwell, chairman of the GO Girls gynaecological cancer support group, was at Dorset Women's Day to highlight their new fundraising campaign, the one million 5p challenge, where people are encouraged to fill a 500ml water bottle with 5ps and donate it to the charity.

She said: "People don't have to cycle, swim, run or stand in the rain and everybody can get involved. We've had lots of interest today, and the reason lots of people want to sign up is because it's simple fundraising.

"There is inequality in women's health, and it's one of the things that the GO Girls have been campaigning to change."

Dorset Women's Day was sponsored by Dorchester Town Council, West Dorset District Council and the Dorchester Car Boot Fund.