A mother's union is holding a rally in a bid to shake off their blue rinse image and encourage younger people to join.

Members of Gomersal's Mother's Union, who help women in prisons and hospitals, have invited more than 100 young women in their parish to hear how they do more than simply knit and make jam.

The union's youngest member is 45 and the 22-strong group includes women in their 80s.

But the women are keen to boost their ranks and pass on homespun advice to new members. Rally organiser Sue Fisher said: "I'm sure young women think we're just a knitting circle. They'd be surprised at what we do.

"Some of our members help out in prisons and hospitals and we do a lot of fundraising for a village in Africa.

"We're like an old-fashioned network and we're here to help young mums and dads in the parish."

Mrs Fisher, 50, who joined the Mothers' Union ten years ago, said the Gomersal group was formed in the 1930s and was popular during the 50s.

In October the Reverend Jane Clay of Wakefield's New Hall women's prison - which was featured on the BBC fly-on-the-wall documentary Jail Birds - will be speaking about her work.

Mrs Fisher said: "The Mothers' Union started tailing off when women started getting jobs and realising there was more to life than just being a housewife. But today a lot of young couples don't live near their parents and it's hard for them to get advice about parenting or looking after a home."

The rally, at St Mary's Church on Tuesday, October 12, will include posters and photographs illustrating the work the union does. Three speakers, including vicar the Reverend Michael Rawson, will be talking about how the group has helped.

Vicar of Roberttown's All Saints Church the Reverend Nils Bersweden, who is Chaplain to the Wakefield Diocese Mothers' Union, said the organisation was still relevant today.

He said: "I'm a member because I'm a parent and I believe the union has a lot to offer young families.

"The organisation believes we should aspire to bring up children in a traditional family."

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