A retired Orpington woman is taking part in a hunger strike 100 years to the day British women were given the opportunity to vote.

Sheila Grace, 65, has been a feminist since she was five-years-old after discovering her brother had different toys than her.

The 24-hour hunger strike - Hungry for Democracy - is being held today (February 6) with politicians like Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, Green MEP Molly Scott Cato and journalist Polly Toynbee taking part.

Strikers are calling for an overhaul of the UK first past the post voting system in favour of proportional representation.

Sheila told News Shopper: "I have supported women all of my life. My grandmother fought for women to have a vote. It is so vital for women to vote and myself and my daughters have never missed a vote because people have died for this."

The fast started at 8pm last night and ends at 8pm today.

Sheila commented: "I had to bake a cake for my daughter because it is her birthday today. But I will be ok.

"I want to show solidarity to the high profile people who are doing it. Small statements lead to bigger statements. I am passionate about democracy.

"Women have a vote but we don't have a true democracy because of the first past the vote system."

She cited an example of the Conservative party teaming up with the DUP to stay in power rather than combining the brightest minds in the main parties to tackle Brexit.

Hilary Clinton not being elected as US President, despite getting more individual votes, was also something Sheila thought was wrong with the US and UK voting system.

Sheila works as a coach at a riding for a disabled centre in Sevenoaks.

Speaking about proportional representation, Sheila added: "Proportional representation would give everyone a voice in a truly democratic system.

"It would result in more seats for minority parties such as Liberal Democrats, Greens and UKIP. There would be better governance as MPs would look beyond the next general election and we would have well thought out and discussed long term policies instead of short term 'eye-catching' policies."