Blue Plaque in Upper Welland for suffragette Elsie Howey

Elsie Howey, who lived in Upper Welland, was a militant activist with the Women's Social and Political Union and was jailed at least six times between 1908 and 1912.

A blue plaque has been unveiled at what was her home in Upper Welland until her death in 1963.

A clergyman's daughter, she joined the WSPU in 1907 and her first arrest came in 1908 when she and her sister Mary were arrested alongside members of the group hiding in a van being driven to the House of Commons.

Soon after her release, she was again imprisoned for protesting outside the home of Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, receiving a six-week jail sentence.

VOTING: Elsie Howey lived in Malvern for decades

Throughout her time campaigning, her actions became increasingly more daring, including hiding in the organ at Colston Hall in Bristol before Augustine Birrell MP was due to speak.

She went further on September 5, 1910 when she and two other suffragettes assaulted Mr Asquith while he was playing golf, pursuing him to his holiday home and leaving protest cards at the scene.

She also received attention in 1910 for riding horseback through London dressed as Joan of Arc in a full suit of armour.

Later that year she was again arrested for demonstrating, going on hunger strike for 144 hours.

Her methods proved controversial, with prominent members of the WSPU at times calling for her removal from the organisation.

During her imprisonment, she regularly carried out hunger strikes, breaking almost all of her teeth eventually after being force-fed while behind bars.

CELEBRATION: The Elsie Howey plaque unveiling

This was the reason for her release from her final spell in prison, in 1912 for setting off a fire alarm.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin unveiled the plaque alongside residents and members of Malvern Civic Society.

She said: "I am only the 341st woman to become a Member of Parliament but each day I am thankful for the efforts of campaigners who fought and sometimes gave their lives to bring equality to our country.

"It was lovely to see so many people turn out to mark this occasion – especially all the young girls and local people who remember Elsie  – and I hope that telling these stories will inspire more women to come forward to stand."