Beauties on parade, and each one hails from Worcestershire

All contestants had to prove they are true county beauties - a sideways swipe at June's Miss Worcester-shire 2005 contest, which was won by Rachael Davies from Stoke-on Trent.

Since the Worcester News broke the story, other papers such as the Stoke Sentinel have followed Miss Davies' prog-ress, which has seen her appear on regional television to defend her right to be Miss Worcestershire.

The winner will be chosen at a glittering evening in Bushwackers nightclub where the contestants will impress the judges with their beauty and local knowledge.

When the Boat Queen winner is chosen on Thursday, she will become the life and soul of this year's Severn Boat Festival, taking place on the river beside Worcester Racecourse between Friday, July 29, and Sunday, July 31.

The finalists are: Sherrie Ann Nicholls, aged 22, from Warndon Villages; sisters Siona, aged 22, and Shelly Connolly, aged 23, of Hanley Castle, near Malvern; Laura Collins, aged 21, of Malvern - she was runner-up in the MW2005 competition; Jenni Francis, aged 20 of Worcester; and Lizzie Crow, aged 23, also of Worcester.

A panel of judges will choose the queen, and as well as being the belle of the boat bash, she will win a weekend hotel break and £200 spending money.

Chris Carless, organiser of the Severn Boat Festival, said: "We have been absolutely delighted with the response to our search for a Boat Queen for this year's festival. Worcester-shire seems to have abundance of local beauties, and narrowing it down to just six was a tough job, but I suppose someone has to do it!" he joked.

"On a more serious note, we are looking for a local lass who is willing to get involved with promoting the Severn Boat Festival, ensuring it is a fantastic fun-packed three-day event for all concerned," he said.

Mayor of Worcester Aub-rey Tarbuck will open the festival. He will appear at 11am on Saturday, July 30, but the event will have started at 9.30am the day before.