AUDITIONS to find the next regional winner of the world’s oldest beauty pageant get under way soon. The winner of Miss Dorset will qualify for the Miss England competition, which in turn leads to the Miss World finals and a possible $100,000 prize.

The reigning Miss Dorset, Emily Kishere, who captured the title last year, said winning it opened the door to a host of new opportunities.

“Being on stage in front of a crowd performing in dances was so much fun,” she added.

“Creating a piece for the eco round, training hard for the fitness round and gaining sponsors for the evening wear were all great parts of meeting new people in the build up to the grand finals of Miss England.”

All the contestants of Miss Dorset will be helping to raise funds for charities Beauty with a Purpose and Julia’s House.

The final of this year’s event is being held at the Print Room, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, on May 4, and it will be hosted by former Miss England Jackie Turner, who won Miss Bournemouth in 2003.

Since being crowned queen she has mixed her modelling career with work as a health, beauty and fitness trainer and helped set up the Poole branch of Fitness First.

Jackie said: “I’m looking for a girl from Dorset who can walk in the same shoes as me. I’d like to develop her and help her career grow like mine.”

Scissors Hair will be helping style the finalists on the night and the winner will be handed a one-year contract with LMP Model Boutique and debut at the south coast fashion week.