A BEVY of bathing beauties donned 1950s swimwear for an on-land synchronised swimming event in Saltaire to celebrate the centenary of the Women's Institute.

The seven-minute dance by members of Baildon, Saltaire and Bingley WIs was watched by hundreds of people as Roberts Park soaked in September sunshine.

About 65 women, aged between early 20s and 70s, stripped down to polka dot swimming costumes for the mass performance in front of the Half Moon Cafe. You could hear a pin drop as spectators watched the dance, before applause and cheering greeted the conclusion.

Bingley WI president Jag Picknett said: "It was absolutely fabulous. We didn't think we could pull it off, but it was just amazing.

"The number of spectators is just unbelievable."

She added: "It was just good fun, really good fun, something outside of the normal that WI ladies would do to celebrate, like a coffee morning or something like that.

"People young and old will be looking at this thinking they could do this."

President of Baildon Belles Sara Mogford said: "I was very, very nervous, but it was really amazing. It was quite liberating, and amazing the amount that wore swimming costumes.

"I really enjoyed it. That is what the WI is all about."

The dance was choreographed by performance group Yorkshire Life Aquatic. Lucy Meredith, of the group, said each WI group had received about an hour's tuition - separately from the other WIs - prior to the performance.

"This was the first time all the groups have done it together," said Lucy. "It has been fabulous."

Meanwhile, in Farsley on Saturday, hundreds of people lined the streets to watch a parade of 27 Aston Martin cars - old and new. The event was to mark unveiling of a plinth dedicated to the original site in Farsley where parts for Aston Martins used to be manufactured.

Accompanied by some vintage tractors, the cars included one bearing James Bond-style gadgets and another playing the theme tune from the film series.