AUDITIONS to find the next Miss Sunderland were held at The Stadium of Light yesterday.

Women from across the region have already entered the competition and the winner will go through to represent Wearside at the Miss England contest.

The auditions will select the 24 finalists who will parade on the pitch at halftime in the Sunderland v Everton match, in May.

Organiser Simon Robertson said: “There was a really good turnout and a lot of pretty girls.

“Some were a bit nervous, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. They were all very friendly and there was lot of banter going on. It’s going to be a tough job judging it.”

The Miss Sunderland final on May 22 is to make the Tyne and Wear derby a match with a difference, as the Miss Newcastle final will be held on the same night.

Judges for the final include Paris Hilton’s My British Best Friend finalist Emma Beard, a Sunderland footballer, and Serenity in the City owner Jocelyn Maxfield.

The event will be hosted by former ITV Tyne Tees news reader Kim Inglis, and Simon Robertson, of One Voice Productions.

To enter Miss Sunderland 2009, visit misssunderland.

co.uk or call 0191-487-6430.