A FORMER Las Vegas showgirl has shared her experiences with a women's lunch club.

Rowena Harker-Leder, who performed as part of the Bluebell Girls in the Fifties and Sixties, addressed Darlington Women's Club about her experiences at the Stardust Hotel, where stars such as Frank Sinatra topped the bill.

Delivering most of her reminiscences by reading from her weekly letters home, Ms Harker-Leder gave an insight into her life in the era, telling amusing tales.

She applied to join the troupe after seeing an advert in the Stage Magazine.

After training, the group flew to Las Vegas to perform what was regarded as the most advanced stage show in the world.

The Bluebell Girls were among the highest paid artists in the US and the show played to full houses.

Stars, including Marlene Dietrich, were regulars at the Stardust.

Ms Harker-Leder also recalled Las Vegas' darker side, including the mafia and a refusal to allow Nat King Cole backstage because he was not white.

She also spent time with the troupe in Beirut and Tokyo, and trained to be an air hostess with BOAC, before returning to Wharfedale.

She has since served as artistic director of the Grassington Festival for 18 years, retiring in 2005 and is now concerts secretary for the Skipton Music Society.

Ms Harker-Leder's other claim to fame was that she appeared in the film Calendar Girls.

Roula Murray, of the women's club, thanked Ms Harker-Leder on behalf of the members.

The May meeting, held at the King's Head Hotel, Darlington, also held a minute's silence in memory of Dorothy Cheesmond, a past club president and secretary who was a member for 22 years.