Clayton-le-Dale's Edna Ainsworth came into Blackburn and left with the honours at the 2001 Ladies Open Bowls Tournament, winning the Florrie Hargreaves Memorial Trophy

The annual Florrie Hargreaves Memorial Trophy attracted a number of top bowlers from outside the area -- and they dominated the competition.

Only Denise Pickering, of Great Harwood, managed to break the visitors stranglehold but her brave run ended in the semi final when she was beaten by Joan Lappin, of Cumbria, 21-15.

Ainsworth's passage to the final was a lot more difficult and she beat last year-s winner Joyce Foxcroft, of Cumbria, by the slimmest of margins, going through 21-20.

The long running competition attracted a total of 62 entries from across the region.

East Lancashire had a good representation at had five players in the quarter finals.

Two came head-to-head with Pickering beating Marie Wrigley, of Blackburn, 21-11 while J Higson, of Blackburn, lost 21-14 to finalist Lappin.

Burnley pair Pat Longrigg and Lisa Harrison also went out in the last eight, losing 21-11 to Ainsworth and 21-12 to Joyce Foxcroft respectively. In the final Ainsworth beat Lappin 21-17 in another tight contest.