The search is on to find Miss and Mr Liverpool 2013.
The first stage of the competition began on Saturday and Sunday with auditions in Liverpool’s Clayton Square Shopping Centre.
Pat Hughes, who has been the organiser of Miss Liverpool for the last 10 years, told JMU Journalism: “Obviously today we are looking for appearance but we also want somebody with personality as well and somebody who will represent the city well.
“In a way we want somebody who could be talking to children in a nursery and the next day to have to be with dignitaries and interact and hold a conversation. We have had some good people already today who we have thought they could do it.”
Up to 36 girls will be chosen to go to the next stage of the pageant. The winner of Miss Liverpool has automatic entry to the official Miss England competition which can lead to the Miss World title.
Past winners of the competition include Amy Jackson, who is now a Bollywood movie-star, ‘Scousewife’ Debbie O’Toole and Amanda Ball, who has just won Miss Global World.
Pat said: “For the girls and lads who have never been in it before, we have about three or four rehearsals so by the time the night comes they are confident and have built up good friends and relationships. When they are up there they feel equal to the other contestants.
“They don’t have to be a certain height but you have to be sensible and think that if they want to go into Miss England or Miss World they have to fit in with that. Usually models are taller; some girls may not have the height but are otherwise absolutely beautiful.”
This year, in a “rags to riches” round, each finalist will be matched up with a student from Liverpool Community College who will make one of their outfits from rubbish.
Pat added: “They took part in fashion week doing something similar but while that was good, it wasn’t nearly as good as what they did for us in Miss Liverpool, it was amazing.
“The girls loved it last year because they were all individual and everyone had different ideas. Also, most of the girls in the competition can’t sew a button on, so it really helped them to be with someone who could do that.
“We try and make it an experience that they will remember forever and we try and make it so it doesn’t cost them anything. They have to buy their evening dress but other than that everything else is provided for them.”
Each year the final event is judged by celebrities and industry professionals. The 2013 final will see the winner picked by former Miss England Danielle Lloyd, Radio City DJ Rossi, members of the ‘Desperate Scousewives’ cast and model scouts.
The Winner of Miss Liverpool 2013 will be crowned on 22nd March next year, at the Olympia Theatre, Liverpool.