Model competition

Last updated 10:07, Tuesday, 11 November 2008

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The chosen ones MILTON HAWORTH REF: 0437674

A PANEL of X Factor style judges sent 11 promising models through to the grand final of Kells modelling competition last night.
The 24 girls, split into age categories of 16-17, 18-24 and over 25s, also faced a harrowing round of public voting after strutting down the catwalk and performing to their favourite songs at The Nines in Barrow.
The first round of the competition was hosted by co-owner of Kells Images, Dawn Kells, who says the response to this year’s contest has been overwhelming.
She said: “This is the third year we’ve done the competition and the amount of entries we’ve had has been amazing.
“We only got two entries for the over 25s category but we received some more entries during the break tonight from some very brave ladies!”
The winners of the 16-17 category were Becky Dean, Erin Browne and Georgia Andrews. Sophie Craig, who received nearly 1,000 votes in the Evening Mail’s competition, also goes through to the final. The judges also picked 16-year-old Natalie Martin to go through to the final, using their wildcard.
Winners in the 18-24 category were Becky Harrison, Jessica Hamill and Amy Chester.
Amy, of Victoria Road in Barrow, said: “The whole experience has been brilliant and I can’t wait to do it all again in the final.”
Nicola Roach received the most text votes, and also goes through to the final.
Helen Woodend, 25, and Gemma Thorp, a 25-year-old maths teacher at Thorncliffe School, both go through to the final. Helen received the most votes on the night and also won a canvas worth £300 featuring one of her shots from the photo shoot.The final of the next round of the competition is being held on Friday July 25 at The Nines.