AS PIN-UP girls with the nouse to put Tony Blair in his place, the Women's Institute's dowdy image has been transformed.

But former chairman Helen Carey says radical action is nothing new for the group.

Helen, from Whitley, joined the organisation in 1964 when she was 23 and passionately believes the WI has something to offer all women, regardless of their age or background.

Lobbying government for free birth control was the WI's top priority when Helen first got involved and throughout its almost 90-year history, political lobbying has formed the backbone of the organisation.

Helen, who was chairman of Whitley WI before becoming a trustee of the national committee and from 1999 to 2003 was WI chairman, said: "The media continually portrays us as elderly, fuddy-duddy and unworldly, I really wish we could get rid of that myth."

She feels negative media coverage is something the WI shares with other women's groups - whether they are man haters or old fuddy-duddies - groups of women tend to win more abuse than support.

Helen said: "A lot of the media is very male dominated and women are constantly commented on in a way that men are not."

But slow handclapping Tony Blair won the group respect from people all over the country.

Helen who was on stage with the Prime Minister said: "We are a political group and will lobby any political party but he started being party political which irritated members. It was a significant moment in our history because we hit the headlines."

Stripping for a calendar challenged pre-conceived ideas about women in the WI and has become the basis for a new film. Due to be shown in cinemas from September, tickets to see Calendar Girls are already selling fast.

Will the WI survive for another 90-years? Yes, believes Helen as long as it changes to fit in with women's changing lives.

ecummins@guardiangrp.co.uk