KIRKLEES International Women's Day Festival swings into action on Saturday.

It is the 12th year Kirklees has celebrated the festival.

And this year's programme of events is full to brimming.

A large range and number of events aimed at celebrating women's achievements and raising awareness about issues affecting them will run until March 16.

The events range from food and fashion to literature, arts and crafts, health and drama - and children as young as 12 can join in.

This year the theme is "anti-poverty'' and the organisers - Kirklees Council and Kirklees Women's Equality Network - have opted for the title Bread and Roses.

The title was first adopted by American women textile workers in the 1930s who went on strike for better wages, not only to afford bread but also to enjoy the finer things in life, such as roses.

The Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Margaret Bates, is backing  the festival, which also marks International Women's Day on March 8.

She will officially launch the festival at Huddersfield Town Hall on Sunday.

The launch event will be called celebrating Cultures of the World.
The evening heralds the start of a wide range of community-based events aimed  at helping women to gain self-esteem and confidence and know their rights, but also giving them opportunities to try new activities, find relaxation and be entertained.

These are just some of the events:

* Four Feisty Females, Sunday, March 9, Huddersfield Town Hall; a discussion on the lives of authors and readings by them.

* Pamper yourselves at one of a number of days. Woman-
space is holding an open day of relaxation and creativity on Monday, March 3; TLC is  at the Muhammad Ali Sports and Community  Centre, Crosland Moor,  on Thursday, March 6; and there is a Community Pamper at the Birkby and Fartown Community Centre  on Tuesday, March 11; TLC at Muhammad Ali Sports and Community Centre, Thursday, March 6, and Womanspace is holding an Open Day of Relaxation and Creativity on Monday March 3.

* A number of events are aimed at helping women make more of their lives. They include a Women Empowerment Day at the Hudawi Centre, on Saturday March 8 and Livelihood and Grace at the Walpole Family Centre, Crosland Moor, on Wednesday, March 5, and a Women Empowerment Day at the Hudawi Centre in
 Hillhouse on Saturday, March 8.

More details about the events - including ticket and booking information, childcare and creches facilities and access and language provision - are available in a special Kirklees International Women's Day Festival brochure.

Alternatively, people can phone the festival, co-ordinator Valerie Wartelle, on 01484 414824 or log on to www.kirklees.gov.uk/wdf.