Miss Black Country under starters' orders

Budding beauty queens from across the region can compete for the prestigious title as well as a chance to go on and compete for the Miss England 2009 contest. Wolverhampton Racecourse has teamed up with Beacon Radio to run the competition for this year's Miss Black Country – and local young ladies have just over a week to get their entries in.

Click the numbers below to see more pictures from last year's final.

Tipton teenager Kayleigh Yeomans, current holder of the Miss Black Country title, will hand over her crown to the 2009 winner at the final in April.

Kayleigh, 19, admitted she was very sad to give up her title but had thoroughly enjoyed her past year.

"It's been fantastic and I can't believe it's been almost a year since I won the contest," said the mortgage reviewer for the Halifax.

"But I've loved every minute of it, from winning the competition at the racecourse last year to going through to the Miss England contest.

"It's been an amazing experience and one I will never forget.

"It was a dream come true," she added.

And does she have any tips for her replacement?

"I think she should be very outgoing, very elegant and be proud to represent the Black Country," said Kayleigh, who is a former Tipton carnival queen and remains involved in the annual event.

Amanda Thomas, marketing and entertainment manager at Wolverhampton Racecourse, said the contest provided local females the opportunity to be an ambassador for the Black Country.

"The final was a great success last year and we are hoping this year's will also be fantastic. It's a great chance for girls to represent the Black Country," she added

The closing date for applications is February 22 and all entrants must be single, between 17 and 24 years old on 30 September 2009 and live in the Black Country.

After the judging panel has selected 25 girls, Beacon Radio listeners will have the chance to vote for one girl to gain automatic entry to the final. A judging panel will then select a further nine contestants to go through to the final.

The ten Miss Black Country Finalists will be notified by March 16 and they will be judged at the final at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday April 4.

* To enter visit www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uknextpage