Crossgates Shopping Centre marked its 40th birthday with a spectacular community party yesterday.

Large crowds turned out to enjoy an energetic performance by the Jemski Dance Troup and foot-tapping tunes provided by the The Tenderloin Ragtime Orchestra.

The 1st Cross Gates Brownies and Guides also added to the musical theme by who singing songs from a CD they recently recorded.

Shoppers, many of whom still know the centre by its original name The Arndale Centre, were taken back to the early days by an appearance by the original Miss Arndale.

Back in 1972, Lynda Zajicek, then Lynda Ramsden, was crowned the centre's beauty queen.

Former Leeds United favourite Paul Reaney was there in 1972 to see Lynda take the title, and he was at the mall again yesterday (SUN) for the birthday bash.

The years were also rolled back by the centre and East Leeds History and Archaeology Society, as they combined photograph archives to produce a picture history of shopping in Cross Gates.

The official stamp was put on the occasion by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Alan Taylor, who unveiled a special plaque to mark the occasion.

Crossgates Shopping Centre is the oldest indoor out-of-town shopping centre in the UK. Its 1967 opening caused a stir in locally and nationally, as its sleek, modern design and automatic sliding doors were a first for Britain.