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 next month, will involve 20 finalists competing before a panel of judges.

They will be asked to parade in their choice of evening wear, followed by their favourite football kit and finally their choice of club wear.

The winner of the competition, which is sponsored by Betfred, will gain automatic entry to Miss England, which is itself a qualifier for the Miss World contest in China.

There are several prizes for the winner of Miss Durham, as well as bonus cash prizes from Betfred if she goes on to win the national or international competition.

The contest is the brainchild of Jim Allen, general manager of the County Durham racecourse. He has researched the history of beauty contests, which included a visit to the popular Miss Nottingham competition.

Mr Allen wants to make the Sedgefield contest an up-market event, with hospitality guests in black-tie attire.

He said: "We're very excited about the whole project. Nothing like this has ever happened on a racecourse and nothing like this has ever happened in Durham.

"It would be great to see a local girl go on to compete in and even win Miss England."

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-years-old 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, self-addressed envelope and personal details (name, address, telephone number, date of birth, height, hair colour, eye colour and dress size) to: Jim Allen, Sedgefield Racecourse, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham TS21 2HW.

The closing date is Friday, May 7. More details and a full set of rules available from (01740) 621925 or www. missengland.info