The people of south Cumbria have always loved an opportunity to get dressed up for a special occasion.

That was evident in 1991 when a fashion show was held at Forum 28 at Barrow in aid of the South Cumbria Dyslexia Association.

It raised more than £400 for equipment at Barrow’s new dyslexia centre at Alfred Barrow School, which was due to open that November.

The Mail: MARILYN: Marilyn Midgley steps out in a black leisure suit topped with a black quilted coat at the fashion show in aid of the South Cumbria Dyslexia Association at Forum 28 in 1991MARILYN: Marilyn Midgley steps out in a black leisure suit topped with a black quilted coat at the fashion show in aid of the South Cumbria Dyslexia Association at Forum 28 in 1991

Fashion clothes for the event were supplied by Options, of Bolton-le-Sands in north Lancashire.

In summer 1994 a charity fashion show was staged at the Lisdoonie Hotel in Barrow.

The event was organised by Rave and was to raise money for people suffering from cancer.

About 120 people attended and more than £400 was raised.

Another occasion when the area showed off its flair for quirky clothing came in April 1993 as a Dairy Crest-sponsored charity fashion show was held at the Coronation Hall at Ulverston.

The Mail: 50S: From left: Eleanor Dixon, Carol Mills and Joan Tames modelling at the charity fashion show staged at the Lisdoonie Hotel at Barrow in 199450S: From left: Eleanor Dixon, Carol Mills and Joan Tames modelling at the charity fashion show staged at the Lisdoonie Hotel at Barrow in 1994

The event featured clothes from the Honeysuckle Boutique.

There was a step aerobic work-out from Imago Fitness Centre and proceeds from the event went to local charities.

And in November 1991 the Fashion House in Millom celebrated clothing excellence as it presented the latest in clothes by top British designers and Italian, French, German and Scandinavian fashion houses.

The event raised £1,000 for local charities.

The show took place at the Bankfield House Hotel and attracted around 250 people, who admired the clothes being modelled.

The Mail: GATHER: Winter fashion shown by models who appeared in Barrow Soroptimist International Evening of Fashion and Musical held at the Town Hall banqueting hall in 1989GATHER: Winter fashion shown by models who appeared in Barrow Soroptimist International Evening of Fashion and Musical held at the Town Hall banqueting hall in 1989

The event was organised by the Millom Inner Wheel Club.

Club president Joyce Whitaker welcomed everyone and thanked the Fashion House.

The six models were Angela, Denise, Felicity, Joan, Lynn and Pat.

Background music was provided by Chris Clouter and Peter Koth.

Two bridal outfits were modelled by the brides who had worn them earlier that year – Zareena and Sandra.

The Mail: FASHION: From left: Denise, Pat, Felicity, Joan, Lynn and Angela modelling at the fashion show held at Bankfield House Hotel in 1991FASHION: From left: Denise, Pat, Felicity, Joan, Lynn and Angela modelling at the fashion show held at Bankfield House Hotel in 1991

One was in white dupion with embroidered motifs in crystals and pearls and the other was in pure silk ivory with a waterfall train and finished off with pearls and roses.

Both dresses were sewn by Irene Mackereth, of Millom. Floral arrangements were by June.