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 May 25, will involve 20 finalists competing before a panel of judges.

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.

If the contest is a success it will become an annual event.

Entrants must be born in, live, or study in County Durham and be aged between 17 and 24-years-old on November 1.

Auditions for 50 girls will be held on May 12 when 20 finalists will be selected.

To enter, send a photograph, self-addressed envelope and details (name, address, telephone number, date of birth, height, hair colour, eye colour and dress size) to Jim Allen, Sedgefield Racecourse, Sedgefield, before Friday, May 7.