WOMEN enjoyed parading in rare vintage hats - some dating from 1890 - and at the same time raised cash to help children suffering from cancer.

The Elegant Ladies of Littondale donned the spectacular headgear and also tucked into a vintage tea in aid of Candlelighters, the charity based at Leeds General Infirmary.

The ladies' fashion show at the Halton Gill home of historic hat collector Daphne Corbin notched up £524.60 which was handed over to Sue Murtagh, of the charity.

Sue and her friend, Paula Needle, bid for the fashion show during an auction at the Candlelighters' annual Gatsby Ball and, in turn, the Elegant Ladies decided to use the occasion to raise more money for the charity.

The show paid special attention to hats made in the 1940s and Ann Baker provided period eats on vintage china, with all the takings going to the Candlelighters' cause.

Over a 30-year period Mrs Corbin has amassed a private collection of more than 200 historical hats, many rare collector’s pieces made by the finest milliners of their day.

“They range from the exquisitely made, beautifully feminine, rare museum pieces to the downright outrageous," she said.

Carol Horner had the audience smiling as she gave her best ‘I am not amused’ look in a Victorian bonnet and then appeared again in an early 1920s turquoise bicorn cloche.

Marilyn Roberts became an Edwardian lady in her French Belle Époque hat and Brenda Cowan an elegant woman in a fabulous feather hat from 1910.

The show also included Hannah Baines and Elinor Paul dressed as 1920s "flappers" and other models showing off 1930s examples, sporty slouches and later creations including a Dior New Look hat of 1947.

People interested in attending one of the hat events should contact Mrs Corbin on 01756 770092 or email daphne.corbin@btinternet.com. Next year's dates have yet to be agreed and tickets always go very quickly.