THE Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes has a new chairwoman, who aims to step up the organisation's strong support for rural communities in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

For the next three years Audrey Flanagan will lead the federation, which has more than 3,000 members in the county.

Mrs Flanagan, from Sedgefield, takes over from Dorothy Proud, from Evenwood, who on standing down was presented with a Crown Derby linnet by staff and the federation's executive.

With 106 WIs in County Durham, Mrs Flanagan said the organisation had something for everybody.

"It is not a movement rooted in the past, but one committed to the future," she said.

"We are particularly committed to lending support to rural areas, especially those still suffering from the effects foot-and-mouth disease."

Mrs Flanagan has also been an influential member of the Young Farmers' movement for many years, travelling to Canada and Finland on its behalf. She is a former student at Houghall Agricultural College, Durham.

Mrs Flanagan is also county vice-president of the Young Farmers.

She said: "My only regret is that I didn't join the WI earlier in my life."