When Irene Dark was made May Queen in 1927, it was one of the proudest moments of her life.

The pretty six-year-old was thrilled to have been selected to represent the school during the May Day parade.

Now, 81 years later, she is back at Middleforth CE Primary School in Penwortham to witness the crowning of six-year-old Sian McMonagle from Year 2 as the 2008 queen.

She and her consort Keiran Lowe, seven, were crowned in front of an audience including friends, family, teachers and 10 former queens. Also at the event were community leaders, local clergy and police officers.

May Day has been an important event at the school since it opened its doors to the first pupils in 1860.

Records show that the first queen was a pupil named Sarah Robinson. And the name of every queen since has been noted in the school's archive.

Middleforth is now believed to be one of the last schools in Lancashire to carry on the tradition.

Until the late 1970s, each queen was crowned with a garland of fresh flowers but since 1979 the school has used the same crown which was made by the pupils.

And just as in 1860, the school still has traditional Maypole dancing. The coloured ribbons were spun and twisted into intricate patterns by the school's youngest pupils – who didn't put a foot wrong.

Headteacher Ann Aspden, who joined the school in September, said it was important to keep the school's traditions alive. "This day is so special, not just for the children, but for the whole school community as well."

See our special double page spread on May Queens in Monday's Lancashire Evening Post.

Lancashire Evening Post photographs can be ordered by contacting Debbie on 01772 838026.

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