It was to become an event that attracted millions of viewers, enjoy its fair share of scandal as well as inject glamour into a post-war Lancashire seaside resort.
Miss Great Britain began in 1945 as the National Bathing Beauty Contest, a joint venture between The Sunday Dispatch newspaper, Morecambe Corporation and Eric Morley's Mecca Entertainment Group with heats taking place at the Super Swimming Stadium on the town's seafront.
Each year the contest grew in popularity and by 1950 the prize money had increased to £1,000 for the winner. Big names who took part included Violet Pretty - who would go on to become Hollywood star Anne Heywood - the first female Blue Peter presenter Leila Williams, and comedian Marti Caine.
In this edition we hear first hand what it was like to compete, the recollections of a reporter who covered the contest and the women who during lockdown researched, wrote and published a celebration of the 75 years of the Miss Great Britain contest ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Sally-Ann-Fawcett/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3ASally-Ann+Fawcett)
