JUDGES at the Teesside Gala Princess Competition said they had a tough job picking the winner.

Competition for the title of Millennium Gala Princess was high, with 59 girls, aged five to 15, taking part.

The winner was Melissa Sanderson, 12, of Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar. Her two maids-of-honour are Kathryn Walker, 11, of Ings Road, Redcar, and Sophie Dixon, seven, of Ronaldshay Terrace, Marske.

The gala princess competition is the first big competition leading up to the Teesside Steel Family Gala, which takes place on Sunday, July 2.

The girls' first official duty will be to open the event at the Kirkleatham Showground.

Gala organiser David Adamson said they were highly delighted to have won the competition and each receive a sash, WH Smith tokens and bouquets of flowers