Birkenhead Conservative club accepts first woman member after 136 years

Eileen Newsham, pictured with her daughter, has become the first female member of Oxton Conservative Club in its 136-year history

A Conservative club has accepted its first female member - 136 years after it was founded.

The Oxton Conservative Club in Birkenhead, Merseyside voted at its annual general meeting to allow women to become members from January.

It is legal for private clubs to restrict membership and many have a long history of being men only.

Eileen Newsham, 74, a club stewardess for 44 years, said it was "an honour" to become the first female member.

The club committee surprised her by awarding her lifelong membership at a ceremony on Sunday.

As a full member, she will now be allowed to use the snooker room, which was previously reserved for men.

Although some private clubs have changed their membership policies, others still exclude women - with snooker rooms a particular area often reserved for men.

The 2010 Equality Act makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their gender, among many other factors including race, disability and age.

But associations and private clubs can restrict membership to people who share a particular protected characteristic.

Mrs Newsham said she was "overwhelmed" and that her father, who had been a member, "would be amazed - he'd love it".

Eileen's membership means she can now use the snooker room