BUDDING models hoping for catwalk success are signing up for a beauty contest taking place in Birkenhead later this month.

The Miss Wirral competition, at Pyramids Shopping Centre in Birkenhead, will end with what promises to be a fantastic finale on Saturday, September 27.

The free-to-enter contest is organised by Heswall-based Frame Model and Casting Agency. The final casting session will be held on Saturday September 13.

It is open to girls aged 16-30 who are either living on the Wirral or have close connections to the area. At stake is £1,000 prize package and could be the passport to a glittering catwalk future for the lucky winner.

Among those who have entered is 23-year-old Laura Stokoe from Hoylake a student at Leeds Metropolitan University who is in her final year of training to become a primary school teacher.

Laura said: "It appealed to enter Miss Wirral because it would be great for me to represent and be a figure head for where I live.

"The Wirral is such a nice place to be and I don’t think enough people realise how lovely it is.

"Not only does it have some really pretty places to live and visit, great shopping, bars and restaurants but it also has some amazing history all of its own which makes it very special.

"It also has a very strong sense of community and people like me feel very proud to say we come from the Wirral."

The Miss Wirral idea was the brainchild of Laura Seymour who runs Frame with her business partner Louisa Houghton.

Laura said: "I wanted to use my expertise in the business to create a competition which is close to the heart of the Wirral and carries a local title which the winner will be proud to hold.

"It could also be the perfect passport to a career in modelling for the girl with the right attributes of looks, pose and personality.

"To ensure that the competition has the right local connections I’m delighted to be working closely with Pyramids which is at the very centre of Wirral life.

For more information go to www.pyramidsbirkenhead.com