A group of people recognisable by their distinctive red hats and bright purple outfits are looking to help women in Suffolk confront getting older with gusto.

The Red Hatters, a social society for women aged 50 and over, has set up chapters across the UK since 2001 for people who would like to get out more and meet new people where they live.

It now has 100 chapters across the country who are headed by “Queens” – and has now started a group based in Ipswich.

Queen of Ipswich’s new division, Jenny Andrew, said: “We are nationwide and a chapter in Ipswich is long overdue.

“It’s about having fun and making new friends in Ipswich and beyond.”

Vice-Queen of the Ipswich chapter, Catherine McKenna, initially joined the Hatters elsewhere in 2016. She wishes to grow the Ipswich branch.

“I would be very lonely if I didn’t have the Red Hatters,” she said. “We just bring comfort and they can come chat to us as we have a cup of tea.

“We go all over the place. I joined and four weeks later I was on a cruise to Germany, so that’s how much fun we have.”

“We do little things as well like go out for meals and go to museums.

She added: “We go to different places that have chapters so we have been to Norwich, Yarmouth, all over the place.

“We do look nice, all the gentlemen like us because they all say we look like real women.

“We meet every third Thursday every month.

“So anybody can meet us there come and join in.”

Membership for the Hatters is a voluntary £12 a year to cover costs, and events are organised by the Queen of the chapter.

The Ipswich Hatters will next meet on Friday, October 12, at 2pm at a free Decoupage workshop for beginners and their monthly meetings take place every third Thursday of the month at St Lawrence Centre Cafe on Dial Lane. New members are encouraged to contact the group on redhattersipswich@yahoo.com or Cathy McKenna on 07745135323.

Are you starting a community group or organising activities for others? Tell us by emailing newsroom@archant.co.uk