THE beautiful people of York were out in force last night as the city crowned its Miss York 2006.

The 37 finalists in the Press-sponsored event gathered at the Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, cheered on by hundreds in the audience.

Harry Gration, the BBC Look North presenter and proud resident of York, presented the event, and Take That tribute band Divided provided musical entertainment.

Catrina Lakin, 19, of Thorganby, near Selby, was crowned Miss York 2006, after some agonised decision-making from the judges.

Catrina said: "I feel stunned. I can't really believe it. This is the first time I've been in anything like this but I'm really happy.

"When they called out my name I was just gobsmacked."

Her parents, Carol and Paul, were equally shocked, but very proud.

The competition was so tight that 13 girls were picked for the 12-girl final.

Miss York organiser Vivienne Lee was on the judging panel for the event, which also included last year's winner Georgia Horsley, The Press's head of content Scott Armstrong, and Miss England organiser Angie Beasley.

Vivienne said: "The whole night was brilliant.

"The judging was very close. We had to let one extra in the final, because two girls were tied."

The runners-up this year were Naomi Smith, 18, from Copmanthorpe, in second place, and 17-year-old Nicola Parker, of Halifax.

Nicola also won the award for best hair. She said: "I'm really happy that I did so well. I only did this for the experience. I didn't even think I'd get into the finals."

The judges were looking for attractive, community-minded girls, ready to serve their city and represent York in the Miss England 2006 competition, which will be held at the Athena, in Leicester, on July 13 and 14.

Retiring Miss York Georgia Horsley handed over the crown to Catrina.

Georgia said: "It's been an emotional rollercoaster this evening. It's been nerve-racking and exciting and so many other emotions too. It was difficult giving up my crown. I've had it for a year, but the year's gone so quickly.

"Catrina seems like a lovely girl. She is a worthy winner and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better."

Georgia is now concentrating on getting her modelling career up and running. "I'd like to thank Vivienne for being the best manager I could have had without her I wouldn't have been able to do it," she said.

Many friends and families came along to the Grand Opera House to cheer on the contestants.

Ruth Wood, of Stamford Bridge, is the mum of Emma Wood, who made it into the final 13. She attended the show with a friend and Emma's boyfriend's parents.

Minutes before the event got under way Ruth said: "We're looking forward to seeing her up on stage, but we're also a bit nervous for her.

"Hopefully everything will go right and she'll enjoy the evening. It's a bit of fun really."

The band Divided kicked off the night's entertainment fresh from X Factor auditions which saw them enter the final 50 in the forthcoming series of the television show.

The band billed as the best Take That tribute band in the country sang a medley of the boy band's best numbers as well as such classics as My Girl, Reach Out, I'll Be There and Greased Lightning.