Miss Sylvana Swailes, winner of the Burnley heat of the Miss United Kingdom contest, gets a congratulatory hug from Burnley Express editor Mr Keith Hall.

A local model, who withdrew from beauty competitions two years ago because of a weight problem, made a comeback on Wednesday, 14th July 1971, when she won the Burnley heat of the Miss United Kingdom contest. Now, 23-year-old Miss Sylvana Swailes of Fir Grove Burnley has the chance of winning the Miss United Kingdom 1971 title when she competes in the final at Blackpool next month. Runner up was Miss Sandra Pye, 19-year-old Lucy Clayton model, who lives at Church Street, Padiham. Third was out-of-town Miss Gillian Duxbury of Lea, near Preston. Judges were Mr Mel Scholes (former British high diving champion and former Tokyo Olympics finalist), Mr K. Betts (manager of Safeways), Mr D. K. Hall (editor of the Burnley Express), Mr. D. Taylor (editor of the Evening Star) and "Ugly" Ray Teret (DJ, formerly with Radio Caroline).

Because the Burnley heat clashed with local holidays panic set in earlier this week when only three girls had entered the competition. Alarm was dispelled, for almost at the last minute 13 more girls entered. There was a strong local contingent with a total of 16 entries. Assistant manager at the Locarno Ballroom said "Now we have had a good response, particularly from local girls, which is splendid." Among local competitors were sisters Jackie and Valerie Pinder of Casterton Avenue, Burnley as well as competitors from Padiham and Worsthorne.