THE search is on to find the next Miss World - and it's starting near Huddersfield.

A heat of the glamour competition is being held for girls from Huddersfield and Halifax.

The winner will go through to the Miss England final and the winner from that will represent England at Miss World next winter.

Three of the entries in this area are all students.

They are 21-year-old Alex Millington, of Rastrick, who is studying a law degree at Durham University; 17-year-old Vicky Holt, of Newsome, who is studying beauty therapy at the White Rose School of Beauty in Huddersfield and 18-year-old Beki-Jo Heeley, of Meltham, who is a student at Huddersfield New College.

The heat will be held at Jumpin Jaks on Commercial Street in Halifax on June 14 and is being organised by photographer Collette Parker, who lives in Halifax.

More girls have been urged to enter with the chance to win masses of prizes including a photography portfolio, a modelling contract, driving lessons, jewellery, a unique dress, facial treatment, handmade chocolates, a leather motorcycle jacket, a fitness club membership and an overnight stay at a restaurant.

The original Miss World disappeared from terrestrial TV screens years ago, but the Miss England and Miss World competitions are due to be screened on Sky.

Collette said the girls in the Huddersfield and Halifax heat will wear evening wear only.

She added: "They will also be asked the usual questions about their favourite hobbies and how they would best represent Huddersfield and Halifax if they won.

"I see nothing wrong in looking at beautiful girls.

"This will be a great opportunity for the winner."

Under the rules entrants must be aged 17 to 24 and must not be married or had a child.

They must never have posed nude or topless for a professional photographer and have nothing in their background that could bring the contest or its sponsors into disrepute.

Applications must be in by the end of April.

Contact Collette Parker by going to her website at www.colletteparker.co.uk