THE search is on to find former winners of a beauty contest more than 20 years after the final pageant.

The Miss Crimdon Beauty Pageant began before the Second World War when the resort's wide sandy beaches were hugely popular with miners' families and day-trippers.

The competition was the highlight of the summer's festivities, but over recent years the area has become very rundown.

A ten-month regeneration programme has begun to improve Crimdon Park and Dene and the search for former Miss Crimdons is one of a series of community events planned during the project.

Sarah Curran, of Durham Heritage Coast, which is organising the reunion, said: "The area is a popular visitor destination that has fallen from favour. We are investing £700,000 to improve it for local people and make it more appealing to modern visitors.

"To help us launch the regeneration work in the Dene, we are hoping to find any of the former Miss Crimdons to tell us what the area was like on their own day of glory."

Key elements of improvement within the Dene include the creation of wetland areas, the removal of old concrete water channels, new bridges across the stream, and new seating and gathering areas.

In addition, the derelict car park is being returned to natural grassland, access paths are being created through the dunes and interpretative boards will be erected to describe the area's history.

Former Miss Crimdons are asked to call Liz Luff on 0191-244 6659 or visit www.durham heritagecoast.org