A long standing Women’s Institute group has been saved from closure after it joined forces with a Bourne End branch.

The 76-year-old Wooburn WI teamed up with Bourne End – which was established in 2014 - after struggling to rally up new recruits.

Members are now preparing for the year ahead including the annual Women Walk the World event in April which will see WI’s from across south Bucks join together to walk through Bourne End.

Former secretary of the Wooburn WI, Janet Smith, believes the afternoon group will now go from ‘strength to strength’ in 2016.

She said: “We were a very small unit and were finding it more and more difficult to manage such a small group.

“And because there were more vibrant groups in the area we found it difficult to recruit new members.

“Bourne End were happy for us to join which has been fantastic. It has meant that we can retain old friends and start new friendships. We are really excited to see what the next year has in store for us.”

The Wooburn and Bourne End WI meets on the second Monday of every month at St Dunstan’s Church on Cores End Road from 2-4 pm.

The Women Walk the World will commence from the Bourne End Community Centre at 10:30am on Friday, April 29. For more information contact Hilary Forbes at hforbes@pennsoft.co.uk.