GORGEOUS girls who think they have got what it takes to wear the coveted Miss Worcester crown with style and sophistication are being urged to step forward into the spotlight.

The winner will go on to represent the city in the prestigious Miss England competition and, if they win that, they will have a shot at becoming Miss World.

There have been a number of changes to this year’s event in Worcester, with entrants not needing to take part in a talent contest at this stage.

The competition has also been switched from its traditional evening slot to take place during a family fun day at Worcester Racecourse on Sunday, May 9.

Worcester Sixth Form College student Leanne Groutage triumphed in last year’s contest and she said she had been busy ever since.

Particular highlights for the 18-year-old of Holt Heath, near Worcester, included competing at Miss England, opening new businesses, and attending the many charity functions, including her part in helping to turn on the Lights of Love for St Richard’s Hospice last November.

She said she had enjoyed meeting so many different people and also praised the county’s volunteers for the work they do.

“The fond memories of the past year will remain with me forever,” she said.

Miss Groutage said wearing the Miss Worcester crown had helped her mature and added that the title had helped to further her fledgling career as a professional dancer.

The Harlequins Stage School student, who will start a scholarship at the London Studio Centre Dance School in September, appeared on popular BBC television series So You Think You Can Dance? at the beginning of the year and was among the last 13 girls left in the competition.

Contestants taking part in the Miss Worcester 2010 family fun day at Worcester Racecourse will have to dress up and be interviewed by a competition host.

A list of questions they might be asked will be sent out before the event.

The closing date for entries to Miss Worcester 2010 is 5pm on Friday, March 26.

After all the entries are in, Worcester News readers will vote for the finalists.

MISS WORCESTER: THE RULES

• Contestants must be single and must never have been married or had a child.

• They must be aged between 17 and 24 years on September 30, 2010.

• There must be nothing in the contestant’s background that could bring the Miss Worcester, Miss England or Miss World contests into disrepute.

• Contestants must never have posed topless or nude for photos.

• The contestants must live at an address with a postcode beginning ‘WR’.

• All entrants must send in a head-and-shoulders picture as well as a full length picture and must ensure that we have permission from the copyright holder to use the picture.

• Click the image below for the entry form.
Worcester News: Miss Worcester 2010 entry form