WHAT is wrong with the beautiful young women of York?

The city hit the national headlines a year or so ago after Miss York organisers revealed how they might need to look to London and elsewhere in the UK for contestants, after experiencing a shortage of local entrants.

The good reputation of York women was cruelly blackened after London's Metro Newspaper picked up on our story and posed the question: "Are there not enough beautiful people in York?"

Sky News was a bit fairer to the city, saying: "Good-looking women in York seem to be a bit on the shy side after just six entered the city's top beauty contest."

The news was followed by a flood of entries, followed later by the amazing triumphs of Naomi Smith and Georgia Horsley, who went on to win Miss England.

But The Diary hears that the shyness problem appears to be raising its pretty head again.

Vibe Models, the organisers of Miss Universe UK, have issued a press release warning: "Young women from York are missing out on the chance of a lifetime. With just weeks to go before the closing date for entries, which falls on February 15, the Miss Universe team has received little interest from York."

Director of Vibe, Paula Abbandonato, (the Diary kids you not) said: "The chances of seeing a local win at the May final are slim as more girls from neighbouring areas of England are registering an interest in the crown. That would be a shame because we've got a prize that money can't buy."

The Diary was worried at first that entry to Miss Universe might require a shot-putters' pecs and a body-builders' body, complete with bulging muscles, to stand any chance.

But no, the organisers reassured us that the competition was actually the UK qualifier for Miss Universe - "which is owned by Donald Trump and recognised as one of the largest beauty pageants in the world". A dip into the Miss Universe website confirms that the winners at least are, indeed, beautiful.

And it has to be said the potential prizes aren't bad. "The prize package for the winner includes an all-expenses-paid three-week trip to Vietnam to take part in Miss Universe 2008 and a luxury holiday for two to Mexico, as well as a wardrobe of clothes," said Paula.

Miss Universe UK will also "undertake a number of overseas visits in her capacity as ambassador for The Joshua Foundation - a charity for children with terminal cancer. This will include a month long visit to Australia and a Christmas trip to Lapland."

Paula added: "If you've never entered a competition like this before, now's the time to try. It will be a year like no other for our winner."

Contestants should be British and between the ages of 18 and 27. They should never have been married or had children.

To apply, visit www.missuniverseuk.co.uk.

So come on, what are you waiting for?