Finalists in one of the region's biggest beauty contests are under starter's orders on the eve of this year's pageant.

The second annual Miss Durham competition, held at Sedgefield Racecourse tomorrow night, is expected to attract an audience of hundreds.

Twenty of the North-East's most stunning girls will be hoping to catch the judges' eyes and secure the Miss Durham crown.

The winner will go on to represent County Durham in the Miss England final, the winner of which competes in Miss World, held in China later this year.

Interest in the competition has grown so much since the racecourse held it for the first time last year that applications were up by about 20 per cent.

General manager Jim Allen was so pleased by its success that he is considering hosting a Mr Durham contest at the course this summer.

Grand National winning jockey Graham Lee and last year's Miss Durham, Natalie Smith, who also competed in the Miss Commonwealth contest, will be on the panel of judges to crown the overall winner.

Mr Allen said: "The event in 2004 was such a success that we had no choice but to stage it again.

"Once again, the Miss Durham competition is a qualifier for Miss England, so we are delighted to be staging this prestigious event and I am very excited about it.

"Beauty contests take place all over the country, but I am confident that Durham's finest girl can beat the rest that the country has to offer.

"It would be great to see a local girl go on to compete in, and even win, Miss England."

This year, the finalists are urging people to back them in a text vote.

Voters supporting their favourite contestant with a text message from their mobile telephone will count towards their success.

Posters with photographs and details of each finalist are displayed around the venue and have been printed in The Northern Echo.

People will also be able to bet on who they think will win the final.

The odds for each girl will be printed in The Northern Echo tomorrow.