Workington Golf Club is calling for more women to get involved in the game.

Like most golf clubs, most members at Workington Golf Club are men - with eight times more men than women playing golf in the town.

The club is holding a free fun day to encourage more women and girls to take up the sport.

Roseanne McSharry, from Maryport, has been playing golf for the last seven years. She is a former junior captain at the Workington club.

The 16-year-old said: "We need more women - there's too many men and there's going to be no way the women can beat them!"

Mamie Caine, 87, who lives in Gilgarren, is the club's oldest female member. She took up the sport in 1946.

She said: "I started playing in Maryport with my brother when I was 10. My father was a farmer at Bank End so the golf club was right on our doorstep.

"We joined the Workington club in 1974. We were both made honorary members last year, after playing for 70 years."

She described the sport as her "lifeline."

She added: "It's very addictive - they say once a golfer, always a golfer.

"It's great for the social side as well. I've made so many good friends and there's a real sense of camaraderie."

Mrs Caine said she has noticed a change in attitudes towards the sport over the years.

"It used to be an elitist sport but now it's much more open," she said.

Temerity Botterill-Kang, 10, from Seaton, is the youngest female player at the club. Golf is in the youngster's blood - her father used to play and her older brother Sebastian is also a member.

She said: "I've always felt like I needed to play. I like going outside and seeing all the nature."

Her father, Mark Botterill, thinks that more needs to be done in schools to encourage girls into the sport.

He said: "I don't think it's plugged at schools enough. Sports like girls' rugby and football get pushed but a lot of girls want a more gentile sport."

Although the club has held fun days before, this is the first time they have targeted women.

Barbara Atkinson, the club's secretary, said: "We want to get more ladies involved in the sport. You don't have to be superfit or worry about your body image like a lot of young women do in other sports.

"The best thing about golf is that everyone can play - there's not many sports where you can do this. It's a sport for life."

Julia Lynn, vice captain at the club, added: "We hope people will come to the fun day. Ladies will have the chance to get out on the course and have one-to-one coaching.

"Just turn up with comfortable clothing and trainers. We will supply all the equipment.

"We want to try to change people's perceptions of golf."

The fun day will be held on Wednesday, August 23, between 1pm and 6pm. Anyone interested should contact Julia Lynn on 01946 66565.