FIVE young women from the North-East are in the running to win the coveted title of Miss Great Britain.

The five are Coral Patrick, 21, from South Shields (Miss Newcastle GB), Lucy Hough, 24, from Gateshead (Miss Sunderland GB), Taylor Hamilton, 19, from Durham (Miss Durham GB), Sarah Gething, 25, from Marton, Middlesbrough (Miss Teesside GB) and Robyn Lucas, 23, from Darlington (Miss Charity GB).

The contest, which celebrates its 71st year, takes place in Leicester on Friday (September 23). Since they were crowned in the regional North-East final Miss North East earlier this year the five beauties have been busy raising cash for the charity Global’s Make Some Noise, the official charity of Capital FM.

Miss Gething, a school PE teacher by day, has swapped trainers for heels in competing with the other finalists across the country.

She said: “I want to change the perception of what it is to be a model as there’s a lot of pressure on young girls to look and behave in a certain way.”

Fitness instructor Miss Lucas raised almost £4,000 for Butterwick Hospice as part of her bid to become Miss Durham GB and although she missed out she was selected for the final as a wildcard entry.

She said: “It has been amazing to be able to help people through fundraising and the passion I get from it is remarkable and rewarding.”

Simon Robinson, one of the event organisers of the regional competition Miss North East, said: “We wish them all the best.

“It would be amazing if one of our girls could bring the title and crown home.”