TWO weeks ago, I set out to escape life as I know it by donning high heels and glossy lipstick. I became a girl with her sights set on being crowned Miss Durham.

Not one to shy away from a challenge - or an evening of glitz and glamour - I submitted my photographs, planned my outfits and invited a crowd of supporters along to the finals, held at Sedgefield Racecourse on Tuesday.

But nothing prepared me for the raw competitive streak in many of my fellow competitors. To say some were desperate to win the title is an understatement - for a small few, it seemed to be their sole purpose in life.

From the first audition, I learnt something important in this game - a smile counts for nothing unless there is a camera flashing or a judge looking.

Being ignored by one dark-haired would-be beauty queen when I smiled and said hello made me realise that, for some, taking part in the pageant wasn't about enjoying the experience, it was purely and simply about winning.

In the cramped and busy changing room, I quickly grew tired of talk about hair and make-up, girls bragging about being one of the bookies' favourites and the occasional nasty glance.

No one got so far as to ask who I was or what I did . . . otherwise they may have learned I was a journalist.

Don't get me wrong, amid the ugly competitiveness there were some natural, lovely, friendly and warm girls. Two I hope to see again and one thoroughly deserved her crown as Miss Durham runner-up.

Bookies put her at 25-1 based on a photograph and before the judging began she joked: "I feel like the three-legged donkey in the race." But her bubbly personality outshone the competition and I was surprised she did not get one place better.

Tensions were high throughout the day, with an organiser warning us about idle whispering at one point.

However, one of the models said such competitiveness was nothing compared to the lengths some top models in Milan and Paris fashion shows will go to sabotage their rivals.

Snapping the heels off shoes and putting bleach in shampoo bottles were only two from a long list of envy-driven acts girls will commit to claw their way towards the summit of their profession.

For me, parading in my choices of evening wear, club wear and favourite football strip, it was all about having fun. For others, losing out on the title was almost too much to cope with.

One former beauty queen could not contain her disgust at the judges' decision, dropping her smile quicker than last season's make-up.

Standing on the other side of the ring, I looked at the finalists with their fixed grins and coiffeured hair, and I happily re-affirmed my definition of beauty: that it is far more than just skin deep.

Miss Durham Natalie Smith, 19, from Chester-le-Street, goes forward to the Miss England competition in July, where I can only imagine how the rivalry will consume some of the hopefuls.

Journalism is reputed to be a dog-eat-dog profession but even the most seasoned hacks have nothing on the professionals who enter beauty competitions.

After having had a taste of the glamorous world of beauty pageants, I have to say: "Sorry girls, but I prefer the day job."