'WI Lite' take up pole dancing

The classes occur every third Monday of the month

Pole dancing is not something you would immediately associate with the Women's Institute but one new group has enjoyed its first ever lesson in the activity.

WI Lite is an off-shoot of the more traditional WI and is aimed at younger people.

Its members at the Norton Fitzwarren branch decided that rather than organising trips to gardens and cake sales, they would have pole dancing and curry nights on the agenda instead.

President Emma Jenkins, 34, started the group so that younger people could enjoy the WI.

Their first meeting took place last month, which 59 people attended. Activities coming up include belly dancing and 'Know your boobs'.

One attendee said: "There's so much stigma attached to pole dancing and it's so brilliant for you for fitness and fun and for toning all those important areas. I've never kept up a class, I've never been to the gym but pole dancing has kept my interest."

But is pole dancing suitable for the WI?

Other events planned include belly dancing

Becky said her Nan refers to her as a lap dancer (something she is trying to steer her away from thinking!) as "when you think of pole dancing, you think of strippers".

"It's because traditionally that's where it comes from and now it's been taken out of that and brought into the fitness forum. I've got a pole up in my lounge and people walk in and think what the hell is going on! But it's just changing people's perceptions really."

Margaret Bigg from the WI said it was and that good for young people to have their own younger version of the institute so that they can learn new skills and meet people.

"They are doing exactly what we're doing in our other WIs but they are having speakers of their own choice."