TWO groups supporting women in Wyre Forest have marked International Women's Day.

Monica Rees, president of Kidderminster and District Soroptimists, presented a picture to Carol Warren, former leader of Worcestershire County Council and current chairman of Asha Wyre Forest on Friday at the Edward Parry Day Centre in Radford Avenue.

The picture, Golden Treasury was painted by Kidderminster-born Jane Powell, who works as a professional artist in Warwickshire and Kidderminster Soroptimists Club won the artwork at an event to raise money for Boxing Day tsunami victims.

International Women's Day is next Wednesday and has been celebrated since 1908 to highlight women's equality worldwide and inspire women to reach their full potential.

Soroptimists International is a service organisation working to improve the status of women and supports Asha Wyre Forest in its work with women suffering the effects of disadvantage.

Asha Wyre Forest models itself on the Asha Centre, Worcester, which opened its doors in April, 2002 with the support of initial grants from the Home Office and the West Midlands Government Office.

Soroptimist member, Linda Halliwell said: "Soroptimists International is an organisation that promotes the status of women and we are committing ourselves to help Asha which is also a voluntary organisation looking how to enable women to bring about self improvement.

"The two organisations have very similar aims and ideals so we thought to commemorate International Women's Day we would present this picture."