A CELEBRATION of all things beautiful in our county, the Miss Essex competition was a big event in the 1980s and 1990s.

Sponsored by the Echo during its heyday, the contest had a series of heats before finalists showed off their talents in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.

For the winners, a year of schmoozing and ribbon cutting would be in store as they attended a series of events across the county.

But, as these pictures from the Echo archives show, participants and crowds alike all seemed to enjoy themselves during the annual competition.

Do you have any pictures or memories from the past you'd like to share? Email echonews@nqe.com.