THE best of the county's line dancers put on their smartest outfits to take on rivals from all over the country as a championships day came to South Cumbria.

The Mail, on Monday, January 18 in 1999, noted that the Wild West Rangers had organised the Cumbrian heat of the UK Country Western Dance Championships in Ulverston.

The Coronation Hall was packed with competitors and spectators for the Saturday celebration of music and dance.

It noted: "The event filled the whole day with dance instruction and nationally-known teachers in the morning, competitions in the afternoon and asocial dance in the evening."

Reg Newton, who helped set up the event, said: "It was a brilliant day, absolutely tremendous. A lot came to watch"

There were entries for the event from South Wales, Kidderminster,Newcastle, Warrington, Carlisle and Whitehaven.

The event was judged under Country Western Dance Council UK rules and winners in the different classes went through to finals to be held at Southport in May.