YOUNG women from around the county are preparing to battle it out in the first step to potentially becoming Miss World.

The finalists for this year’s Miss Dorset competition have been chosen and the 23 lucky ladies are now calling for your votes ahead of the July 2 final at Banus nightclub in Weymouth.

The public vote is one of three categories and the girls have started fundraising for this year’s charity, the Weymouth Lifeboat.

The one who raises the most will be crowned Miss Weymouth Lifeboat at the final.

The judges will make the final decision to crown Miss Dorset, but you can vote for your favourite to help her win the Miss Popularity crown on the night.

The voting result will also count as one judge’s decision at the final and the 10 girls with the most votes will gain an advantage.

Miss Dorset goes through to the Miss England final and the winner of Miss England represents the country at Miss World.

You can see the girls and find out how to vote in Thursday's Daily Echo