KEEN cyclist Doreen Walkden proved a very good sport during the celebrations of Blackburn's centenary, back in 1951.

For she was the only woman with any inclination to attempt one particular event - a hill climb up Shear Brow and 1 in 7 at its steepest!

But Doreen got on her bike and completed the 750-yard course in 3 minutes 20 seconds.

She came last in a field of 35, but was warmly congratulated by the Mayor of Blackburn, Mr W Hare.

At that time Doreen's family ran Walkden's sportswear shop in Northgate and she had been cycling since the age of seven, alongside her twin sister Margaret and encouraged by her brother Bernard.

She said this week: "I had never cycled up Shear Brow before, but Bernard found me a suitable bike and put some low gears on it to help me."

The event was organised by YHA member W H Barker and keen cyclist Harry Aspin and set off from Walsh's garage at Limbrick.

The progress of the riders was announced to the many spectators who lined the route via loudspeakers, from marshalls with walkie-talkies.

Quickest was Harry Westwell, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, a member of Olympic KC who managed the hill in just 1 minute 51 seconds.

He won the event again the following year - which also proved the last one - and Doreen managed to shave seven seconds off her previous attempt.

That year, though, she was one of three women cyclists to take part, our picture shows her on the left with Enid Jackson, centre, and Doreen Lund.

Doreen was a member of the Blackburn section of the St Christopher Catholic Cycling Group, where she later met her husband Vincent - who readily admits that one of her attractions was her short shorts!

He also came from a cycling family - his dad cycled all the way to Wembley to watch Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup final in 1928!