MEMBERS of a rugby club in Chipping Sodbury are preparing to tackle their 20 year anniversary celebrations.

Chipping Sodbury Ladies' Rugby Club was established in 1987 and members are hoping to mark the anniversary in style.

They are holding a reunion party at Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club on March 28 and are inviting all past and present members of the club to the bash.

Captain Lucy Woodward said: "We would like to hear from anyone who has ever played for the ladies' team to come and help us celebrate this milestone.

"Over the years, we have lost contact with people who were involved in the club when it first started.

"I am sure many of them still live locally and we would like to get back in touch."

The club is also hoping to rekindle its relations with Dursley Ladies' Rugby Club after members helped each other out in previous seasons.

The club's biggest success was in 2003 when it rose to the top of the table in the South West league. Since then, the squad has lost a lot of members and last year had to pull out of competitive matches altogether.

"There is a very high turnover in women's rugby," added Ms Woodward.

"Many leave to get married or have children and it is a bit of a nightmare really.

"We had a big recruitment drive in 2007 and are now back up to a squad of 25 which means we have more players than we need."

The club will rejoin the National Challenge South West league for the 2008/09 season.

Past members or anyone who has been involved with Chipping Sodbury Ladies' Rugby Club and would like to attend the party should call Lucy Woodward on 07795 437313.