The Nepalese Association of Wiltshire (NAW) held its fourth International Women's Day event on Saturday, marking the occasion with talks on the plight of women in Nepal.

It is the 108th year in which the wider Nepalese community has honoured the event, and the Wiltshire branch organises one of the country's biggest celebrations to mark it.

Maita Limbu, the chairman of the NAW, who was invited as a special guest to the event, said: "This is the fourth year we are celebrating, and it is getting better every year.

"Today it was quite special – they had even requested the attendance of the ambassador for Nepal, but because of the weather conditions he couldn’t come.

"All the available Nepalese ladies from the committee attended today’s celebration. It was very special because they recited poems and told stories of women’s plights.

Gopi Maya Limbu, who gave a speech about the challenges faced by women in Nepal, explained that, under local law, women's needs are budgeted to receive 33 per cent of municipal budget. However, with other projects often receiving preferential treatment, it can often ultimately amount to as little as 10 per cent.

She said: "Although there is a system for the women in Nepal, it can not be implemented properly."

The event also heard recital of a number of poems, read in Nepali, and raised money for charity.

Although the event has traditionally raised money for a range of charities, at this years event it was earmarked to help orphans in Nepal.