Miss York 2010 competition launched at fifth anniversary event at Monks Cross

The event, held to mark five years since Miss York returned to the city after an absence of more than 20 years, attracted Miss England 2007 Georgia Horsley, the current Miss York Helen Lawal, who is also Miss Black Britain, Miss York 2006 Catrina Lakin and other North Yorkshire beauty pageant winners. Georgia, 22, told The Press she was now modelling full-time in London and had just signed a contract with a “fairly big” London agency.

Georgia, who lived in Norton, Ryedale, before moving to the capital, said of the Miss York competition: “It’s really exciting that it’s still going and it’s getting more and more popular now. More and more people are becoming aware of the competition and what a great competition it is and how we support lots of worthy causes as well.”

The model travelled from London to Debenhams at Monks Cross Shopping Park especially for the occasion.

She added about the contest: “It’s just a really fun thing for girls to take part in so it’s great and I’m so happy to be invited back from London to come and support it.”

After becoming Miss York 2008, Helen Jackson competed in Miss England, as well as in the finals of World Miss University in China and Korea. Former beauty queen and model Vivienne Lee, who brought the Miss York contest back to the city, said it was “fantastic” that it had been so successful.

“We had the winner of Miss England in 2007 and for the first time in the history of the competition we also had a runner-up in Miss England that year, Naomi Smith, who was Miss York.

“We have another celebrated beauty queen, Miss Black Britain, who is the current Miss York,” she said. Aspiring Miss Yorks can now enter next year’s contest, by visiting eventsconnect.co.uk, or by phoning Vivienne on 07904376629.

To be eligible, you must live or study in the YO post code area and be aged 17 to 24. For a full list of the rules of eligibility, see the website.