Royal St George's golf club in Sandwich has finally voted to accept female members.

With a 90% majority from members, they voted in favour of abandoning the ban.

It was announced today that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, in Guildford Road, will now be accepting women members for the first time in its history.

Royal St George's - set up in 1887 as a private members' club - had been one of three clubs on the Open rota with a male-only membership policy.

Club secretary Colonel Tim Checketts said: "A ballot of the membership polled all the members and a 90% majority voted in favour of changing our rules to allow female members."

Video: Royal St George's vows to allow women members

Royal St George’s has staged the Open championship 14 times, most recently in 2011 when it came under fire from former Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson.

He claimed clubs that did not allow women full membership should not be given the right to host the Open.