EAST Lancashire has had its fair share of special visitors and guests.

We have looked back at when Margaret Thatcher came to Great Harwood in February 1979 and it was six-year-old Kirsty Pellam who stole the show.

Kirsty, of Park Road, brought a tour to a standstill when she presented the Opposition leader with snowdrops.

However, little Kirsty lost her grandmother Brenda Heaton in the excitement. The crowds that had turned out to greet Mrs Thatcher had spilled into the roadway stopping traffic but the Tory leader was more concerned about Kirsty finding her grandmother.

“I am rather anxious that this child should find their parents,” she said.

Mrs Heaton who runs a florists on Queen Street, had started to panic. “I was running around everywhere looking for her. I thought somebody was with her but I did not dream she would be with Mrs Thatcher.