Although the pipe and drums of the The Royal Regiment were unable to take their allotted place at the head of the procession, there was the added attraction on this the occasion of the 100th children's mid-
summer festival, of a fleet of immaculately turned out maroon limousines specially commissioned to ferry some 40-plus former fair queens.

And the 45-minute journey around the town must have stirred powerful memories amongst them for the privilege of being Bo'ness children's fair queen is not something easily forgotten - even with the passage of time.

Said fair chairman Jeff Stewart: "I was delighted that more than 40 of our former Bo'ness children's fair queens were able to join us for the 100th fair on Friday.

"We can only hope they enjoyed the day as much as I did and, indeed, I've been contacted by one or two of them to say thanks for a lovely day."

The honour, then, of leading the procession fell to Alloa Bomar Pipe Band and the members rose to the occasion marvellously to ensure that they'll be invited back to future fairs.

Of course, pride of place went to newly-crowned Queen Eilidh Thomson who looked radiant in her carriage accompanied by her elegant little page boys Thomas Mulholland and Jordan Williams.

Sadly, though, there was only a sparse and subdued crowd to greet the crocodile of bands, children and tableaux when they rounded the Seaview Place roundabout.

Things improved through the town centre and, of course, thousands of excited spectators thronged Grahamsdyke Road and Dean Road as the procession reached journey's end at the Douglas Park.

Ann Pearson, in her inaugural year as procession convener said: ''I'm grateful for the assistance of Peter Aitken and Gary Chapman for their experience proved invaluable."

Ann said the tension was greatest when a wee fairy got her fingers stuck in a door during lunch at the Public School.

"She was inconsolable, even her twin sister and her mum couldn't stop her crying. That held us up a wee bit."