The Welsh District Society will give members in the principality an opportunity to network with each other at local events and activities, and to participate in the Institute's affairs. There will be an annual programme of events, starting in October 2007.

Institute chief executive Gail Easterbrook said she was delighted with the development and looked forward to welcoming members to the first official event in Wales.

"This is an important step in providing members in Wales with the means to participate in and be involved with the affairs of the Institute and the development of the profession," she said.

The Institute has already received offers of assistance to help organise and run the new district society, she said. There will be a general meeting in the district later in the year, where members in Wales will have the chance to elect a district committee.

In the meantime, the Institute will create an interim committee to run the district.