The search for York's most glamorous girl began once more today, when next year's Miss York competition was launched at the city's Grand Opera House.

With local heats, and a glitzy Las Vegas-style final, Miss York 06 promises to take the popular pageant hunt to a new level.

Last year, 18-year-old Georgia Horsley, of Malton, took the crown in a glittering event at York Racecourse.

She went on to reach the final 12 at Miss England and, for a time, was the hot bookies' favourite.

The competition was evetually won by Miss Maya, Hammasa Kohistani.

With a chance to win the English title and represent the country in the Miss World competition, organiser Vivienne Lee, of Events Connect, said it was time to get entering in preparation for next year's contest, which will be held at the Grand Opera House on Friday, June 16.

She said: "MS York 05 attracted a lot of attention and with girls already asking about next year we decided to launch the competition early.

"There will also be a change for applicants for 2006 in that they can either enter online, or enter a number of local, live heats to be announced."

That could mean businesses and organisations holding their own heats - with their representative taking pride of place at the York finals.

"Entrants can still sign up online or enter a heat and the winner of that will go straight through to the final," she said.

"We are holding the final at the Grand Opera House because we wanted to go somewhere different every year and it is a very elegant venue with which to host it. The whole event is truly established again!"

Georgia said: "I'm having a great year as MS York, the highlight so far taking part in Miss England. I would say to any young woman to have a try. It's really fun."

Entrants must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age and live or study within a 30-mile radius of the city. If you would like to follow in Georgia's footsteps, log on to www.eventsconnect.co.uk for details and to enter online.

Updated: 09:26 Wednesday, October 12, 2005