BEAUTY pageants to find cotton queens, carnival queens or Festival of Britain queens were a big part of the social scene many decades ago.

One such in Blackburn was the Miss Industry contest and today we look back at the 1965 contest, after hearing from one of the competitors, who was Miss Newman.

Margaret Proctor, as was, who now lives in Torquay, was 17 when she was chosen to represent Newman’s Footwear, where she had worked from leaving school.

After a day in the factory where she was a machinist, she worked at a grocery store in the evening and then went out dancing, four nights a week, to the Locarno, King George’s Hall and the Mirabelle ballroom.

Margaret was one of a family of 13, from Mill Hill and made all her own dresses and suits.

Contestants chosen to represent nine local industries took part in a grand final during the Miss Industry Ball, at King George’s Hall where they had to parade before the judges and crowd after being interviewed.

They were judged on looks personality and deportment.

The title was won by Miss Mullard, Linda Hough, 19, from Little Harwood, who was a punch card operator at the Blackburn factory and she received a cheque for £25.

Second was Sandra Pickin, also of Great Harwood, who was Miss Sportswear Clothing, where she worked as a machinist and in third place was Miss Star Paper Mills, telephonist Vivienne Green, 20, of Blackburn.

Said Margaret: “I remember the final being a fantastic evening and that many outings and fancy meals followed for the winner and the finalists and I have a scrap book of the contest and the events leading up to it.

“I've often wondered about the other girls from that competition and if it continued to run for subsequent years. Maybe some of your readers hold the answers.”