HERE we go again. As York's own Miss England, Georgia Horsley, continues with her year in the national spotlight, young women were today urged to enter the next Miss York contest.

Organiser Vivienne Lee says the 2008 final is set to be staged on Sunday, April 20, at a top York venue, details of which will be announced later, with the semi-finals set to take place on March 9.

The contest will raise funds this year for Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, the charity launched by the family of Caroline Stuttle after she was murdered in 2002 during a backpacking trip to Australia.

Caroline, 19, from Huntington Road, York, was robbed and thrown from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg by heroin addict Ian Previte, who was sentenced to life behind bars for the crime.

The foundation, which has so far raised more than £100,000, provides help and support to other young backpackers who get into trouble and gives advice to students going on gap year travels.

Vivienne said: "As the contestants are of the age group that takes part in gap years, we felt it would educate them and their peers of the dangers and how to travel safely."

She said the Miss York winner would receive a £600 cash prize from Ron Disney Photography, of Nottingham, which would also create a portfolio of photographs of the winner.

She would also receive an evening gown, designed and made by Sarah Ashton, of Thimbelina, Walmgate, York, for her appearance in the Miss England final, which takes place in London in July.

The entrant with the best dress at the York final will win £100 in cash from Ron Disney photography.

Judges at the event will include Georgia and an actor from Emmerdale, said Vivienne.

She said that the geographical restrictions for this year's contest would be changing, following the creation of Miss Harrogate and Miss Scarborough contests.

Previously, to enter Miss York, contestants had to live within a 50-mile radius of York. This year, they will have to live or study within the YO postcode area.

Vivienne said that Georgia, from Malton, a former Miss York who took part in the Miss World contest last autumn, was continuing with her work as Miss England, and would be appearing at the Harrogate Lingerie Fair shortly, when a new Miss England bikini would be launched.

* The closing date for Miss York entrants is February 29. To enter, go to www.eventsconnect.co.uk, or, for those without internet access, phone Vivienne on 07904 376629.