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Could you be the next Miss Northern Ireland?

Miss Northern Ireland 2009 Cherie Gardner pictured with Martin Walsh,Rushmere Shopping Centre Manager Martin Walsh and former Miss NI Angela Mountstephens (third from left) and Contestants for the 2010 competition from Lisburn Jenny Irvine, Rhianne Dillon, Hannah McDaid, Laura Killough and Charlotte Kearney at the Launch of Miss Northern Ireland 2010 at Rushmere Shopping Centre.Photo John Harrison .

THE search for the new 2010 Miss Northern Ireland is on.

Sponsored again this year by Rushmere, the heats programme kicks off at Café Vaudeville in Belfast on Thursday April 22 culminating on Sunday May 30 in Betty Blacks in Bangor with 24 girls then going forward to a full week-end of VIP engagements and photocalls followed by the Gala Final at Belfast's Europa Hotel on Monday June 21.

The winner will receive thousands of pounds worth of prizes including a new car for the year from Downeys of Newtownards, £1000 Rushmere shopping vouchers, £1000 vouchers to spend at Matalan, £500 Summer Wardrobe from Debenhams, and hairdressing from stylists at Michele International for the duration of her reign. Prizes for the title holder and all finalists also include a modelling contract and a new trophy supplied by Belfast Crystal. The complete prize package for the competition is worth £40,000.

Miss NI will also win an all expenses paid, month long trip representing Northern Ireland in this year's Miss World contest in Vietnam in November. - Event organiser Alison Campbell is looking for entrants aged between 17 and 24 years to take over the crown from current Miss NI Cherie Gardiner. "We need someone who is a good communicator and has the ability to speak well in public and of course who looks fantastic. The winner will need to carry out an extensive range of modelling and promotional assignments during a 12 month period and be free to travel to Vietnam for the Miss World final later this year. It takes great stamina and confidence to carry off the title" Alison said.

To enter girls should send a photograph with their name and address to the Rushmere Miss Northern Ireland Contest, 381 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 5DT. Competition rules can be checked out on the Miss NI website www.missnorthernireland.co.uk. It also outlines full details of the competition heats and the range of prizes available.

Ulster Star
12/03/2010