Contestants aim to become next Miss Durham (From Durham Times)

Contestants aim to become next Miss Durham

11:44am Friday 30th April 2010 in News

ORGANISERS have announced the finalists who will vie to lift the tiara at a beauty competition next month.

Sedgefield Racecourse has selected 17 young women for the sixth annual Miss Durham competition from scores of entrants.

The event serves as a qualifier for Miss England – but for the first time the winner will walk away with a professional modelling contract.

Sarah Thewlis, of Sedgefield Racecourse said the new prize was generating a lot of interest.

“There are a few girls who are probably more excited about the modelling contract than they are Miss England but we are looking for someone who really wants the Miss Durham title and to represent the county,” she added.

“And if they are good enough to take part in Miss England, then I’m sure they will be good enough to become a model.”

The competition takes the form of three catwalk stages where the finalists will dress for ladies’ day, a day at the beach and in fancy dress.

In addition, there will be a fourth round where the girls will be expected to interact with the audience.

Mrs Thewlis said: “We want the girls to be able to show their character so it’s up to them how they dress in the fancy dress category and we’ve deliberately avoided a swimwear category because we didn’t want to force anyone to wear a bikini.

“It’s worth noting there is a swimwear section in the Miss England competition, though, so it could be something they have to get used to.”

The event will be compared by TFM Radio’s Wayne Allen and feature a panel of judges including, Leah Wilson, from AM Model Agency, Newcastle, which is offering the modelling contract.

Mrs Wilson said: “I’ll be looking for girls who have a healthy and natural figure which is what the clients want in the North- East.

“They’ll also need a bubbly personality, some character and a real desire to go onto a modelling career.”

For tickets and further information about the May 8 event, call 01740-621925.