THE race is on to find a North-East beauty capable of taking on the world. Sedgefield Racecourse is to stage the final of the first official Miss Durham beauty contest.
The competition, to be staged on the course at the Ladies' Night race meeting at the County Durham track next month, will involve 20 finalists competing before a panel of judges in individual rounds.
They will be asked to parade in their choice of evening wear, followed by their favourite football kit and their choice of club wear.
The winner of the competition, sponsored by Betfred, will gain automatic entry to Miss England, which is a qualifier for the Miss World contest, to be held in China.
There are several prizes for the Miss Durham winner, with cash prizes from Betfred if she wins the national or international competition.
The contest is the brainchild of Jim Allen, general manager of the racecourse.
He has researched the history of beauty contests, which included a visit to the Miss Nottingham competition.
He said: "It was a difficult job. I went behind the scenes to ask all the contestants what makes them enter.
"Some would like to get into modelling, some just fancied a nice night out, some entered because the prizes are so good and others said their mother made them do it."
Mr Allen wants to make the Sedgefield contest an up-market event, with hospitality guests in black-tie attire.
If the contest is a success, it will become an annual event and there could also be a Mr Durham.
Entrants must be born in, live, or study in County Durham and be aged between 17 and 24 on November 1.
Informal auditions for 50 girls will be held on May 12 when 20 will be selected for the final on Tuesday, May 25.
* To enter, contestants should send a photograph, SAE and details (name, address, telephone number, date of birth, height, hair colour, eye colour and dress size) to: Jim Allen, Sedgefield Racecourse, Sedgefield, County Durham TS21 2HW. The closing date is Friday May 7. More details and rules are available from (01740) 621925 or www.missengland.info
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