Working men's clubs have voted to overturn the controversial ban on women having equal membership rights - ending a 144-year tradition.

Before Saturday's decision at Blackpool, the Working Men's Club and Institute Union's (CIU) 30,000 female members could attend their own club, but had to be chaperoned by a man to other venues.

But after the men-only national executive voted in favour of the change, women are now able to become affiliated members of the Union, allowing them to visit any club in the UK - without the watchful eye of their menfolk.

The news came as a belated triumph for Tracy Rushworth, who has been an assistant steward at Idle Working Men's Club since September.

The 37-year-old said: "It is about time if you ask me.

"It should have been changed when they allowed us to be full members about ten years ago.

"I have been a barmaid here, on and off, for over ten years, and so this has been a long time coming.

"I got the phone call on Saturday from the son of the former steward. He rung after the meeting to tell us the news.

"We had all be hoping it would happen and when we heard it had we were delighted - we want to be encouraging people to come to clubs, not discouraging them and I think this will help us do that.

"It should help clubs across the country, especially holiday places, because now, if one of our members go on holiday to Scarborough they will be able to get into the club without having to sign in."

Bill Shorey, 62, has been the secretary for Idle Working Men's Club for the past two years.

He said: "It is good, although we have had full women members for the last 10 years and half of the committee are women, but they have never been affiliated before.

"It is a matter of equality, but it will affect clubs in holiday destinations more "Obviously, there aren't a great deal of holiday makers in this area, although we do get quite a lot of interest in our name!"

Roger Kemp, 67, has been a member of Idle Working Men's Club since 1958 and he too agreed with the changes.

He said: "It should have happened before because clubs are going down hill - maybe it has come a bit too late.

"If it hadn't been for the lady members we would now have shut.

"The women members do a lot of the work and help with all of the events.

"We go to Blackpool on holidays and that would not happen without the help from the women."

The rule change means women can now stand for election to local branch committees or the national executive of the CIU, and can take part in activities like fishing, dominoes, darts and golf, which were previously banned.

Women will also be allowed to hear speeches at next year's conference in Blackpool.

Doreen McKeown, President of the Laisterdyke Working Men's Club said: "It is not before time. If you go round Bradford loads of women are on the committees; two thirds of our committee are women. It was a case of you can go to the meetings but you can't have a say. There were silly rules in clubs where if you were not a full member you couldn't play snooker. You have to change with the times.".

Kevin Smythe, General Secretary of the Clubs and Institutions Union welcomed the decision by the executive.

He said: "For many years individual clubs have had the option to grant full rights to women. About 50 per cent of them have done so, the other fifty give limited rights to women. The executive voted on the issue on Saturday on the issue of women being able to possess association pass, something they have not been able to do for 100 years. The pass gives the bearer the ability to visit other clubs from that which they are a member of.

"70 percent approved the motion. I personally proposed the motion this year and I welcome the decision it will help the CIU but more importantly it is a moral issue. Many women are club officials but couldn't go to other clubs. The only argument against it was one of tradition and it is high time for a change."