A SUNNY Sunday saved Blackburn Lions Gala from disaster following the wettest day for weeks on Saturday.

A massive 10,000 crowd enjoyed fun in the sun at the Witton Park showground in Blackburn yesterday, enjoying everything from clowns, mock gun-fighters and sheep shearers to a donkey derby, aerial acrobatics and a fancy dress parade.

Norman Walker, past district governor of the Lions, said: "This is the biggest event in Lancashire, with the exception of the agricultural show. We spend £10,000 putting this show on. It could have been disastrous. Luckily Sunday was successful."

Showgoers petted farm animals, took helicopter rides, tried the zip wire and hand-milked cows.

Other attractions included vintage cars, mini motorbikes, fairground rides, charity stalls, community and business stands and a car boot sale.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, Councillor Peter and Dorothy Greenwood, attended the show, which was sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. He said: "The Lions gala is a great day out and well worth supporting."

Blackburn Lions President Mr Peter Heaton said: "Everyone had lots of fun on Sunday with a packed programme of entertainment." More than 80 gorgeous youngsters competed for the Blackburn Lions Bonny Baby Competition on Sunday.

Parents registered their tots for the competition at the Gala at 11am on Sunday.

Judging in the afternoon was by Lancashire Evening Telegraph editor Mr Peter Butterfield and his wife Eve, district governor for the Lions Tony Clarkson and his wife Joan, Sheila Beaghan and Eileen Holden.

There were three age categories: six to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months.

The winners were:

Six to 12 months: First, Chloe Louise Moore; second, Katie Rose Beech; third, Cairnley McKenna; and fourth, Alice Faye Marriott.

12 to 18 months: First, Joshua John Maxwell; second, Cory Pilkington; third, Mollie Louise baker; and fourth, Emily Kitchen.

18 to 24 months: First, Jordan Alexander Faulkner; second, Lee Hennessy; third, Nathan Thomas Cook; and fourth, Scott Grant.

First prize winners scooped a £25 voucher for Mothercare World in Blackburn, a trophy, rosette and 16 by 12 inch framed photograph; second prize winners received a £15 voucher, rosette and 12 by 10 inch framed photograph; third prize was a £10 voucher, rosette, and five by six inch framed photograph ; and fourth places received a rosette.

All the photographs were by Dave Kippax.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.