A PAGEANT took place in Bournemouth which aimed to empower women and redefine the meaning of beauty.

Miss Bronze UK Scholarship Pageant 2016 was held at the Hallmark Health Club and Spa, on Durley Chine Road, featured six contestants of an African and Caribbean heritage.

Initially they were put through various workshops with subjects including their moral values, the law of positive attraction and confidence skills.

Around 40 people in the audience, including the participants' friends and family, then watched the ladies take part in the main event which involved answering questions about their motivation in life and community work.

Esther Arrey, the event's director, said: "It is the first time that the pageant was held in Bournemouth and it will be held there every year. The aim in general is to empower women and re-define what you call a beautiful woman."

It was also a chance, Esther said, to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which takes place across many places including Africa, Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt. "We are happy that everyone took it very seriously."

The winner's crown went to Adorah Mepba, 21, who is a Masters student at Bournemouth University, who won £250 as the top prize.