JUST about every Clitheroe resident turned out 36 years ago this week for the famous torchlight procession -- but the crowds were much thinner at the Castle Fete which preceded it earlier that Saturday.

For an unfavourable weather report and the voluntary curbs on travel that stemmed from the polio outbreak that summer in Blackburn kept away visitors from nearby towns as 18-year-old Patricia Owen, of Billington, was crowned as the new fete queen.

Pictured with her retinue, including attendants Averil Scott and Kathleen Speak, Patricia was crowned by the Mayoress Mrs J Hall at the start of the afternoon's events in the Castle grounds.

Her guard of honour was formed by the 70-strong Romford British Legion Boys' Band who were among the day's attractions which also featured whippet racing, wrestling, Scottish dancing, gymkhana and a children's fancy dress parade.

One event that had to be cancelled was a push-ball competition, featuring a 7ft-diameter ball that had been sent to Clitheroe by rail but, despite its size, it managed to get lost in transit.

But another monster was voted the star of the night's torchlight-procession parade of tableaux entered by firms and organisations -- a 15ft-high, fire-breathing Dalek, modelled on the evil aliens of TV's sci-fi series Dr Who -- made by staff at Clitheroe's gasworks.