She was 18, she was beautiful and she held one of the most prestigious titles in Brighton.

Grandmother Pauline Cliff, 68, remembers the day she became Miss Whitehawk 1950 as if it were yesterday. And now she has spoken out in support of the beauty competition which is being revived after 25 years.

More than 50 years have passed since she was handed the coveted white sash but Mrs Cliff still remembers the name of every judge on the panel who picked her from ten girls who were battling for the title.

Mrs Cliff, of Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, was then Pauline Pullen and had been encouraged to enter the competition by her father, Alfred, a keen ballroom dancer.

Mrs Cliff, who was born and grew up in Whitehawk, finally left the estate when she married at the age of 21. She said the years she lived there were the happiest of her life.

She said: "My father used to take me to the dance at the school which was run by the Labour Club and he pushed and pushed me to go in for the contest. I didn't think I'd win but he was so proud. I was the apple of his eye."

Mrs Cliff said: "It doesn't seem like 51 years ago. I always kept the sash and picture so when my grandchildren went fumbling through my things, they would find it. I also have the cutting from The Argus."

The former beauty queen hopes the revival of the competition will help people in Whitehawk take pride in where they live.

She said: "I think it's wonderful they're bringing the competition back. I hear the things people say about Whitehawk and I just hope everyone pulls together.

"I know quite a lot of people still living there.

"Those who live in Whitehawk can do well. My children have and others have and I'm sure it can prosper again."

Mrs Cliff's parents, Alfred and Irene, both died in Whitehawk after bringing up their five children on the estate.

Norma Harvey, who is organiser of this year's Whitehawk Festival Queen title and a former beauty queen in Cheshire, is appealing for nominations.

Entrants must be aged 16 or over and living in Whitehawk. The winner will scoop one year's membership to the Stanley Deason Leisure Centre, worth £186, and the second and third prizes are six and three months' membership. The prizes are being sponsored by Ecovert South.

Mrs Harvey, who collected the newly-made crown from New Fabric Fair in Gardner Street, Brighton, said: "The Whitehawk Festival Queen will give a boost to the area."

Judging will be on Saturday and the Festival Queen will be crowned at the opening of the Whitehawk Festival on May 19.

Anyone who wants to enter or nominate someone for the title should telephone Mrs Harvey on 07931 840494.