Icon Rita Hayworth, the Heswall connection, and news of a COMPETITION...

Above: a gallery of images: Rita Hayworth, some of Andrew's work, and the prize.

Hollywood screen siren, Rita Hayworth, who came into the world in 1918 and departed in 1987, was catapulted to international stardom in the 1940s.

It all began with her appearance in the 1941 movie, 'The Strawberry Blonde', and today is probably best known for her compelling role of 1946 as the irresistible 'Gilda'.

Rita began acting in her teens under her real name, Rita Cansino. When she came to devise a new screen identity she drew on her mother's maiden name, Haworth, but threw in the 'y' to make it more memorable.

Rita was not only an actress but also an accomplished dancer. Fred Astaire described her as his favourite.

A 1944 photograph taken for Life magazine, in which she was snapped posing in black lace, became the pin-up that American servicemen prized. Such was its popularity, it was reportedly pasted onto the test atomic bomb that was detonated on Bikini Atoll in 1946.

She was married and divorced five times. Among her husbands was troubled genius Orson Welles who, in what appears to be an act of control, cast her in 'The Lady from Shanghai' (1947) but made her change her trademark, long, curled, red hair for a short, blonde cut.

Rita's performance was critically acclaimed, but her new hairstyle seemed to disappoint fans, and was given as the reason for the film's poor box office performance.

Rita Hayworth died not knowing that she would be rediscovered by a new generation thanks to the hit movie, 'The Shawshank Redemption', based on the Stephen King story.

When the wrongly convicted inmate of Shawshank prison, Andy DuFresne, needs a large item to cover up the escape tunnel at which he is patiently chipping away, bit by bit, night by night, he manages to acquire from his pal, Red, a poster of Rita as Gilda – the femme fatale who drove Johnny Farrell, played by Glenn Ford, mad with desire in that now classic film named after her character.

"So what is the connection with Heswall?" I hear you ask.

OK, I'll be honest - it is pretty slender but a connection nonetheless. 20 years ago, hair and beauty experts Andrew and Liz Collinge were invited to recreate various classic Hollywood looks for a series of Channel 4 short films called 'Icons'.

Fans and cinema historians analysed the enduring appeal of the greatest screen sirens, and the Collinges revealed the secrets of their style.

One of the short videos was devoted to Rita Hayworth, and you can see it at the top of this page.

And now - that competition. To celebrate the reopening of Andrew Collinge salons on April 12, one of which, of course, stands on Telegraph Road, Andrew has kindly offered to give away TEN of his Collinge & Co Hair Treats - which normally cost £20 each.

Andrew says: "The rigours of winter can have a detrimental effect on the condition of your hair as much as hot sunny days can. Central heating and cold winds can result in hair lacking moisture, making it dehydrated and brittle.

"As we start to slowly come out of lockdown now is the perfect time to give your hair a bit of TLC.

"COLLINGE & CO Hair Treat is an intense moisturising mask that will leave your hair feeling healthy, manageable and silky smooth. Luxury natural ingredients will nourish and strengthen your hair and help to prevent breakage and split ends."

We'll be launching the competition over on our Facebook page in a couple of weeks, so feel free to Follow so you receive the news.