TO SOME people, being told you could serve on your local council would appear a form of punishment.

But 100 years ago, the confirmation that women could sit on any council, anywhere was an important step forward in the battle for equality.

It was as a result of lobbying from the Women's Local Government Society that the 1907 Qualification of Women Act allowed women to join men in town halls across the country.

One hundred years on and thousands of women have seized the opportunity but campaigners say the battle is not yet won.

Nationwide, there are more than double the number of male councillors than female ones, with women accounting for just three in 10 elected members.

In Bournemouth, where the council is run by a female chief executive, 17 of the town's 54 councillors are women. And in Poole, the figure is 13 out of 42.

Conservative councillor and current Mayor of Bournemouth, Anne Filer, said she wanted to see more women in positions of power.

"I think we bring a different perspective, perhaps a slightly less harsh perspective, and certainly not such a political one," she said.

"It's difficult to generalise but on the whole, we are mainly concerned with people rather than politics.

"I think that women are brought up to be very good organisers and time jugglers and we see things in a very different way from men, we don't see things so black and white."

A councillor for eight years, she said she loves actively shaping the future of the town she grew up in.

"Generally, I think if you are a bit of a busybody, like to know what's going on and like to sort out people's problems, it's a great job."

Labour councillor Beryl Baxter, who represents Kinson South, agreed: "The best bit is being out in the community as a community councillor.

"Meeting people, listening to them and trying to act in their best interests. I like helping people to help themselves.

"Being one of 54 people on the council is an honour."

She is encouraging female councillors to mark the centenary of the 1907 act and said: "We've made progress but there's always a lot more to do."