A day after leaving Settlebeck School 16-year-old Shirley Ousby led the 27th Sedbergh Gala through the town's streets in 1990.

Shirley, the Gala Queen, was flanked by eight attendants as the colourful procession of floats, accompanied by the Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band, wound its way from Maryfell through Main Street.

Blue skies brought hundreds of residents on to the streets with almost 1,000 adults and many children flocking to the town's playing field for the afternoon events.

Sedbergh Scout Group won the Pinfold Challenge Cup for the best decorated vehicle. A mix of eight Cubs and Scouts featured on the winning float, which was based on a Viking theme.

While the more competitive members of the crowd took part in six-a-side football, fell racing and wrestling, others preferred to patronise the hot dog stalls, swings and bouncy castles, or sit back and watch the star attraction, The Battling Cumberland Giants.

Paul Winn, chairman of the gala committee and parish councillor, was delighted with the attendance at the event.

A record number of floats took part in the gala in 1991, with the town's playgroup taking first prize.

Gala Queen was Linda Bateman.

The day's events featured the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, pallet smashing, fell races, six-a-side football and children's sports. New to the event was Maypole dancing, performed by children from the primary school.

In the evening entertainment continued with a series of sketches in the People's Hall, including performances by Sedbergh Theatre Group and the first Sedbergh Scout Group.

A crowd of around 2,000 people attended the gala in 1992, which was held in brilliant sunshine.

Winners of the fancy dress parade with its nursery rhyme theme were the Sedbergh Scouts with their interpretation of Humpty Dumpty.

Gala Queen Tracey Barnes led the parade through the streets of Sedbergh flacked by her eight attendants.