HUGE hair, heaps of make-up and spotty dresses were all the rage when 17-year-old Lorna Wilson became a runner-up in the Miss York competition.

Now, 21 years on, the mother-of-three is reluctant to even let people see pictures of the "fashion calamity" from 1983.

But she is helping her daughter Vicki, also 17, seek pageant stardom.

Lorna, now Lorna Dawber, of The Greenway, Haxby, said: "I was entered into the competition by a neighbour who I used to babysit for. Shocked? I was petrified. I remember it being in Fibbers in York. I was third runner-up.

"It was the Eighties so it was all horrible big hair. I had to wear a couple of evening dresses. One was lilac polka dot, much to my disgust."

But after seeing a story in the Evening Press announcing the revival of the contest, Lorna and her youngest daughter, Joseph Rowntree School pupil Alyson, 15, hatched a plan to enter middle daughter, Vicki, into the contest.

"When I saw it in the paper all the memories came flooding back. Vicki's not at all conceited, even though she's absolutely stunning. I don't think she'll follow in my footsteps - I think she'll go far," said Lorna, a branch manager for a York private home care agency, who also has a daughter, Tara, 19.

Clerical worker Vicki is one of more than 25 women who have already entered the Miss York contest, sponsored by Monks Cross Shopping Centre, which will take place at York Racecourse on May 20.

The event will raise cash for the MS Woodlands Respite Care Centre, York, and the winner will scoop the title MS York, instead of Miss York.

Event organiser Vivienne Lee still wants to hear from girls aged 17 to 24.

The winner will be entered into the Miss England final, which will be held in Liverpool in August, with a chance to compete in the Miss World final, in Sanya, China.

Anyone who lives within a 30-mile radius of York can apply, and organisers don't want to know details of height, weight and measurements.

A photographic heat will be held at the end of the month to decide on 15 finalists.

York College fashion students will design an outfit for each finalist, and jewellery designer Jo Bagshaw will create the winner's crown. To enter, log on to www.eventsconnect.co.uk

Updated: 09:24 Saturday, March 12, 2005