YEARS after the politically correct brigade thought they'd sunk the beauty contest without trace, Blackpool played host to one of the most successful competitions in recent memory.

The Grand Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens was a fitting venue for the 50th anniversary of the Miss Blackpool show, and an appreciative audience of around 600 confirmed the enduring appeal of such competitions on August 24.

Sponsored by Brannigan's, where weekly heats for the final had been held during the previous two months, the event featured 16 finalists and not one, I'm pleased to say, expressed the slightest desire to travel the world and work with children!

Indeed the winner, 18-year-old Natalie James (pictured), from South Shore, is about to start an English degree course at Manchester University. Who says you can't have beauty and brains?

This competition has had to adapt to survive and it was pleasing to discover that two of the contestants could, without fear, reveal that they were unmarried mothers. Following dinner the crowd was treated to a raunchy opening dance routine featuring all the girls in hot pants dancing to Tom Jones's Sex Bomb.

One tradition the competition has maintained is the bathing suit category, and then the girls graced the stage in their club wear before being interviewed.

Judges were invited to award marks for personality, deportment and beauty and, although it was a close-run thing, there could be no arguments with the final decision.

Joanne Birchall, a 22-year-old from Liverpool, came second and local interest was maintained as Amanda Jane Hope, from St Annes, bagged third place.

The contest's organising committee, which included model and marketing agent Tracy Atkinson, Johhny Moore, Karen-Jean Smith and Sue Knight were pleased with the show.

Tracy commented: "Everyone worked really hard to put on an excellent show and we are delighted with the results."

Natalie has already started work on what promises to be a busy year having visited Blackpool Football Club and featured in The Sun roadshow. She will also be at the Illuminations switch-on tomorow (September 1).