TALENT scouts have been in town on the lookout for eligible bachelors in the York area.

Researchers from Company magazine and the satellite television channel, LivingTV, visited the Slug and Lettuce bar in York, to find likely candidates to add to their annual list of the 50 Most Eligible Bachelors, after looking round the city centre in the afternoon.

Previous bachelors from the Yorkshire and North-East area have including Leeds United footballer Lee Sharpe and rugby player and model Elliot Campbell.

Editor Sam Baker said: "Previous experience tells us that the North-East is awash with sexy, single and successful men and we want to find them."

Britain's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors are selected after extensive research by the magazine and TV team, which is now compiling next year's list. The final top 50 bachelors will be announced in March next year at a celebratory party in London hosted by Company and LivingTV and they will appear in the May issue of the magazine.

Contenders who were unable to make it to the Slug and Lettuce can still enter by phoning Company magazine on 0207 312 3960 or by sending an email to company.mail@natmags.co.uk

Updated: 10:05 Friday, November 23, 2001