In pictures: This year's Miss York & District finalists>>

ELEVEN young women from across the York area are preparing for their moment in the spotlight when the Miss York 2014 final is held tomorrow night.

The event, which is being staged for the first time at the Hilton Hotel near Clifford's Tower, has almost sold out, organiser Diane Yalezo said yesterday. "Only a few tickets are left, priced £25 each, including buffet," she said.

She said the entrants were all aged 17 to 24, unmarried and without children, and lived, worked or studied within 60 miles of York.

The winner will automatically go through to the Miss England final, which will be held between June 14 and 16 in Torbay, but the runner-up will also get a title, Miss Ryedale, which will get her through to the Miss England semi finals, to be held in Leicester on May 19.

"We had a lot of girls audition but believe we have put through the cream of the crop and feel confident that one of our finalists will bring the Miss England crown home to York," she said.

"We have a fabulous new venue in the centre of the city and it should be a fantastic evening."

Last year's contest, held at the racecourse, resulted in 17-year-old Maryann Cunningham, a fashion design student from Thorne, near Doncaster, being crowned the winner.

Diane, proprietor of Desire prom wear in Filey, thanked companies and people who are supporting tomorrow's event, for example through sponsorship or prizes, especially staff at the Hilton, The Press, Veronica's Florists, Mirror Mirror Hair Salon Bi Jazzle of Easingwold, Dominos pizzas, Identity Embroidered Logo's JB Motors, The Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough, Persona Sound & Lighting, Jinnah and Downcliffe Boutique Hotel Filey.

She added that anyone wanting a ticket for the contest should call 07864028302 to reserve their place.