Miss York present and past off to take part in national contest

4:10pm Thursday 28th June 2007

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TWO York beauties are to travel to Leicester to take part in Miss England 2007.

The national competition will be held in the city this week, running from today through until Saturday.

Miss York 2007, Naomi Smith, and previous Miss York winner, Georgia Horsley, will both take part in the competition.

The girls displayed their final dresses for Saturday night's judging yesterday.

Naomi's dress was designed by Sarah Ashton, of Thimbelina, Walmgate. Georgia's dress was designed by Woody Whittock, of She's All That. Georgia, who was crowned Miss York 2005 and is from Norton, near Malton, said: "I'm just about prepared. I've just got a few things to do and then I'll be ready.

"The first day is a lot about all the girls getting to know each other. We're there for three days, Saturday being the final day. We have rehearsals as soon as we get there. We also have a vintage party.

"The next day it will be rehearsals, the talent shows and Mr England. The final day is hair and make-up, more rehearsals and the final judging.

"I'm not entirely sure how many judges there are, but there are quite a few people to impress."

After reaching the final 12 in 2005, Georgia was more than happy to be invited back in the Miss Photographic category for 2007.

She said: "I got a letter asking me to enter, so I thought it's a great opportunity for me to do it again. Miss Photographic involved getting photos taken at a studio in London and they are judged on the Miss England website. We are judged by quite a few methods of voting.

"I didn't plan to go back in it, but I thought I'd give it a go and I would enjoy for me to do it again.

"I've finished my beauty therapy course now and I'm moving to Manchester in September to study Design Media Make-Up. It's something I've been working towards all my life so I can't wait."

Vivienne Lee, who is involved with organising both the Miss York and the Miss England contests, explained in more detail about this year's event.

She said: "It will be held in the Holiday Inn and The Athena Leicester. The final judging is on the Saturday evening. Tonight, contestants will wear a vintage costume and the winner will be fast-tracked to the final 30.

"Both of the York girls have qualified for the talent contest. Naomi will be TV presenting and Georgia will be flower arranging.

"It's an extremely busy week, but it's really great."