11:00am Saturday 1st December 2007
By Ben Ellery
IF YOU think beauty contests are old hat, then Kayleigh Halloway wants you to think again.
The 19-year-old dance teacher has successfully applied for the licence to run a Miss Basingstoke competition in the area - and it could set the winner on the way to being the next Miss England.
Miss Halloway, 19, from Buckskin Lane, got the idea of running the local competition after she had to apply for Miss Reading in 2007 because there was no other local route into Miss England.
She said: "It struck me that there was no way for women in Basingstoke to get involved other than to apply through somewhere else.
"It seemed unfair and I thought there are so many women locally who would love to compete and do the town proud at the national final'.
"The competition is fantastic because it's not just about really slim women. It takes into account factors such as charm and the modelling agency backing it has launched a 'say no to size zero' campaign.
"I'd love to see as many women from Basingstoke as possible get involved and show off what the town has to offer."
The Miss Basingstoke heat will take place on May 10 next year. Entrants must be aged between 17 and 24 and hold a British passport. The deadline for entries is February 29.
If you would like to enter the contest, or are interested in being a sponsor, e-mail Miss Halloway at kayleigh@missbasingstoke.co.uk
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