IT'S a match made in heaven which is bound to look good - for today the Evening Press can reveal it is going to sponsor one of the biggest contests in the city - Miss York.

Judges of the Miss York competition, supported by the Evening Press, are looking for attractive, community-minded individuals, who are ready to take over the baton from Georgia Horsley to serve their city and represent us in the Miss England contest.

This year, the Evening Press is the main sponsor of the event, which is raising money for our Guardian Angels appeal, to build a high-dependency children's unit at York District Hospital.

The overall winner will receive a £500 portfolio of photographs, a portrait of themselves and a modeling contract with DK Model Management of Sheffield.

Miss York will also have a gown specially created by designer Serina Moxon along with accessories by She's All That, and will receive a hypnosis session to prepare her mentally for the big day.

All entrants have the chance to raise money for Guardian Angels and the contestant who collects the most cash will be named Miss Charity and receive a separate prize.

Organiser Vivienne Lee, of Events Connect, said: "We assess the girls on their qualities, their ambitions and what they feel they can contribute to the community. "We don't just look at photographs.

"Among the entrants this year is a medical student who wants to go on to be a doctor - we are not necessarily looking for someone whose ambition is to become a model."

She said: "The Miss Charity competition is a separate award, and all entrants are considered, even if they do not make the final for Miss York. Some girls are having family fun days, one girl is selling her paintings and another wants to do a parachute jump."

Judges will select the most appropriate candidates for a semi-final in May, where the young women will be photographed and interviewed by a panel about their skills and ambitions.

Then, the 30 best entries will be invited to the final, to be held at the Grand Opera House on June 16, and also receive a coaching session from a choreographer to prepare them.

At the final, which is being hosted by Look North presenter Harry Gration, there will also be a prize for the best hair by Geoffrey Stuart Hair Design and entertainment will be provided by the band Divided, performing a Take That tribute.

Members of the public will have a chance to choose their favourite young hopeful by taking part in a text vote, which will also raise money for Guardian Angels. Details will be announced after the semi finals.

Competition rules

You must be aged 17-24 at the time of the Miss World competition in September. If you are 17 you must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian.

You must not be married or have had a child.

There must be nothing in your background that could bring the contest or its sponsors into disrepute.

You must not have posed nude or topless for a professional photographer.

You must be a resident or studying within a 50-mile radius of York and a British citizen.

You must be available to represent England at the Miss World finals and, if chosen as Miss World, be prepared to contract solely to Miss World Ltd.

More information about the competition and the rules are available on the official website www.eventsconnect.co.uk

Updated: 11:09 Tuesday, April 18, 2006