NINETEEN girls from across the region have won their way into the final of Miss Newcastle GB. This is the competition's first year and it will be taking place at the city's Assembly Rooms on Friday, August 29, with the after-party taking place at Bonbar.

The finalists will parade in rounds involving masquerade, swimwear through the years and eveningwear.

The winner will take part in the Miss Great Britain Grand Final at the Athena, in Leicester, in November, and the chance to go forward to compete in the Miss Tourism World event next year.

“I’m delighted to launch Miss Newcastle GB as it’s a fresh and new competition to what is already out there. We allow contestants who are married and with children to enter which is something they previously couldn’t do. It’s something we feel fits in with today’s modern world. It’s about real women, role models and independent women,” says co-organiser Simon Robertson, whose Headline Models and One Voice Productions company hosts the event

The winner will be offered a model contract with Headline Models Ltd and be the face of Miss Newcastle GB 2014.

This year’s chosen charity is Metro Radio’s Cash for Kids. “It’s very important for our charity to work with local people to raise vital funds for disabled and disadvantaged children. More importantly, all money raised in the region stays in the region, with over 80p in every pound going to the children,” says charity manager Debbie Craig.

Guests will be treated to live music from North-East group North Road who have played alongside the likes of Example and Little Mix and recently supported Lawson at the Mouth of the Tyne festival.

Full details on the competition and tickets are available at missnewcastlegb.co.uk or 0191-487-6430.