WOMEN in Malmesbury have welcomed the town's Old Corporation's decision to admit female members for the first time in more than 1,000 years.

The Old Corporation is the local name given to the centuries-old Malmesbury Commoners, Warden and Freemen organisation.

It claims its members are descendants of Saxon warriors who were granted rights to about 500 acres of common land in Malmesbury by King Athelstan in 939AD for helping him defeat Danish invaders.

For generations, members could only be married male householders living in Malmesbury, who were also the sons of freemen.

Daughters of freemen could hand over their rights to their husbands, but they were not allowed to join as members in their own right.

Elizabeth Cooper, 81, who was born in Malmesbury, the daughter of a commoner said: It's about time. My sister and I could never join, but my brother-in-law, who came from out of town, was given the right through my sister.

I always resented that, because I felt I had more right than he did. He never had anything to do with helping King Athelstan fight the Danes, but he got all the benefits.

Old Corporation spokesman Warden Oliver Pike, said the decision to admit women from next month was made in response to a continuous decline in the membership.

The Old Corporation currently has 210 members, but there are vacancies for about 280 more.

Mr Pike blamed rising house prices in Malmesbury for the drop in membership, saying that expensive property prices had forced many young men to move out of the area.

Once they move out of the Malmesbury borough, they are no longer eligible for admission.

Shirley Essex, 68, the daughter of former Old Corporation High Steward, Stan Hudson, said she was pleased the rules had been relaxed, but that it had not bothered her that women were previously excluded.

She said: It was a man's preserve, and I was never upset by it. But it is nice it's being opened to women. My father only had daughters, and I think he was disappointed that we couldn't carry on the tradition.

But I hope he's looking down from heaven now, and that he's pleased with what has happened.

Mr Pike said it would not only pave the way for women to join the organisation, but also unmarried men. Previously only married men could be admitted as members.

He said: It doesn't matter if they are male or female, married or single. It's now open to anyone over 18, who is living within the prescribed boundaries, and who can prove their bloodline in the town.

He said the organisation was probably originally for men because King Athelstan gave the original grant of land to the men of Malmesbury.

One of the benefits given to members is an equal share in the rents charged to farmers for using the land owned by the Old Corporation.

Mr Pike said this was a nominal amount of just over £100 a year before tax, or £1.50 a week.