DO you think you or one of your relatives or friends has what it takes to be the next Miss World?

If so, now is your chance to prove it as the Shuttle/Times and News reports on the forthcoming Miss Worcestershire contest which could be the key to the door of the most renowned international beauty pageant.

The first Miss Worcestershire kicks off with one of three regional heats, West Worcestershire - which is open to Wyre Forest beauties - on Saturday, February 26, at the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich.

An East Worcestershire heat will follow on Saturday, March 19, in Bromsgrove, and South Worcestershire the following week in Worcester.

These will culminate in a glamorous grand final at the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcester, in June, the winner of which will win go on to vie for the title of Miss England and then, if successful at the national event, Miss World.

Organiser, Paul Da Silva, who hails from Redditch, explained he came up with the idea of Miss Worcestershire after being asked to arrange a similar event in Bognor Regis.

The former shop area manager turned promoter explained: "The mayor asked me to do Miss Regis to mark the 75th anniversary of the Regis being bestowed upon the town last July and I made some inquiries into Miss England on the back of that.

"When I looked into it, I found I know Worcestershire better than Sussex so I've come back to do a contest here."

He described the contest as "an opportunity to do something fun" and said entrants would be judged on their appearances, personalities and posture, while wearing evening wear and nightclub gear.

They must be aged between 17 and 24 on December 12, 2005 which is the day of the Miss World final.

"We're just looking for someone who's out-going and can be herself," he said, adding nine out of the 12 girls in the final of Miss Regis were later offered modelling contracts.

"It has to be someone who goes out there to enjoy themselves and has fun in the process."

Mr Da Silva said the heats would be judged by four people from the beauty industry and two "local names" and added he had contacted Kidderminster Harriers Football Club in the hope a player would agree to judge the West Worcestershire heat.

Each round will be made up of 36 contestants, with 12 from each going into the final, which will include performances by singers and dancers from the county.

He responded to claims by critics that Miss World exploited women, by saying: "It has about the second highest charity income in the world and a huge television audience and I think it's just got to be taken in the vein that it's just a bit of fun and a superb contest."

More information about the contest can be obtained by calling 01527 558200, visiting www.barmi.co.uk or e-mailing missworcestershire@barmi.co.uk