WELL away from Walford, Eastender Dot Cotton found a warm welcome waiting in West Craven.

Sunshine and smiles greeted the soap star - alias actress June Brown - when she appeared as celebrity guest at Barnoldswick's Millennium Gala, organised by the local Round Table.

First sign of activity was the appearance of runners in the one-mile road race, which traditionally precedes the procession around town.

Leading the seven-strong pack was Barnoldswick's own national track and cross-country star Lee McCash. He went on to win in a record time of four minutes and 44 seconds.

As ever, the procession was led by the town's retained firefighters, with the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle close behind. Their approach was heralded by the tuneful sounds of Barnoldswick Brass Band.

Next came the Round Table Float and the first chance to catch a glimpse of the star guest. Even without her wig and make-up, June Brown was unmistakably Dot Cotton.

She shared the float with gala princess Joanne Honeyman and her retinue of Amanda Roberts and Jennifer McDonald. Also there were Round Table chairman Nick Fullalove and his family, Pendle MP Gordon Prentice and Barnoldswick Town Council chairman Marjorie Adams.

The Round Table's special millennium guests on the float were Colin and Elizabeth Pollard, invited in recognition of Colin's 25 years of helping run the gala.

There was a good turnout of fancy dress entrants, and Barnoldswick's revitalised Chamber of Trade made a welcome return to the parade, winning first prize with its "Bought in Barlick".

As usual, the toddlers from La Petite Ecole had entered into the spirit, delighting the crowds as "millennium bugs", and fancy dress characters collected for two good causes - the Local Charity Support Group and Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends.

Rainhall Road School's float carried the vital message, "Save Our School", and was evidence of the kind of community spirit that will be lost if the school is closed.

On a lighter note, the Super Troupers tap dancers were "Singin' in the Rain", but with no sign of rain anywhere else. New junior football team the Barlick Barons looked in good form and just as light on their feet were the members of June Wheeler's School of Ballet.

"Dr Who and the Barlick Daleks" vied for the best pub float honours with "A Night at the Greyhounds" and "The Railway Rugrats", and it was good to see Barnoldswick firm Silentnight Beds making a strong contribution to the procession. It had a float, fancy dress entrants, clowns on stilts and a unicycle, and its fully restored 1950s Guy Otter delivery lorry.

Good too to see one of Barnoldswick's newest businesses, the Number 27 Tapas Bar and Restaurant, entering into the event with a Spanish themed float.

The crowds made their way to the gala field at Victory Park for the official opening.

Round Table chairman Nick Fullalove thanked everyone who had helped make the gala "such a fabulous family day out" singling out procession organiser Stephen Greenhalgh and overall event co-ordinator Dale Frankland for special praise.

He also paid a special tribute to Edna Craston, who died recently, and who looked after the gala queens for 25 years.

Next came the moment the crowd had been waiting for, as June Brown stepped up to the microphone to open the event. In true Dot Cotton style, she told the waiting throng: "I'll just put me fag out!".

The Eastenders star then crowned the millennium gala princess, Joanne Honeyman.

No sooner was she off the stage than she was signing autographs for the hundreds of admiring fans. She made time for every one of them, personalising her messages and posing for photographs. In a brief break, she told me she was delighted with the welcome she'd had.

"It's wonderful," she said. "I didn't expect anything as big as this."

All around the field, local groups and organisations boosted their funds with a wide variety of stalls and games.

Zapparelli's Circus School taught eager children how to walk the tight rope, ride the unicycle, juggle and balance on stilts.

At the bottom of the field the fun fair was in full swing while Barnoldswick Horticultural Society's gala flower show marquee provided a haven of peace. Secretary Alan Greenwood reported an excellent show, with the dahlias and sweet peas especially outstanding.

In another marquee nearby, tension mounted as the judges deliberated the outcome of the contest to find a gala princess for 2001.

The winner was 14-year-old Janine Rawlinson, who only entered the contest on a whim with her friend Hannah. "I didn't think I'd win but I'm really pleased," said Janine.

Nicola Bell and Olivia Robinson, both 10, were chosen as her retinue for next year's gala. Also held in the marquee were bonny baby and best pet contests.

Another highlight of the day was a breathtaking performance by the High Tension international high wire stars.

To gasps from the crowds they edged along the taut wire stretched high above the gala field, without so much as a hint of nerves.