ONE of the world's most exclusive yacht clubs based on the Isle of Wight has broke with history and voted to admit women as full members.

The Royal Yacht Squadron has for the past 200 years enforced a men only rule that meant - that even its patron the Queen was not allowed to enter.

But following a meeting attended by 150 of the 475 members it has voted unanimously in favour to extend membership privileges to women.

It comes after officials at the Squadron, which is based in the grand castle in Cowes, lobbied members on the issue for the past four years.

There was not a single vote in opposition though the decision still has to be ratified by the full membership.

A statement released today said: “The Royal Yacht Squadron is delighted to confirm that, following extensive consideration and consultation within its Membership, the Regatta Meeting of Members unanimously passed a resolution instructing the Committee to bring forward rule changes to the Spring Meeting next year that will give effect the agreement that Ladies may be proposed for Membership.

“This resolution further confirms the commitment the Royal Yacht Squadron has had since the early 1960s, when Lady Associate Members were introduced, to integration of ladies in all its activities and in the use of its facilities.

“This decision has come as we are preparing for our Bicentenary in 2015 and whilst the 50 or so young persons of both sexes that have been through our race training programme are doing so well in the ten Squadron J109s racing in Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.”