Model hopefuls revealed - updated

One of the following 26 beauties could be the future Miss Shropshire after wooing judges with their confidence, charm and performance in front of the camera.

Thirty girls and women battled it out for several hours at Telford Shopping Centre yesterday in the hope of reaching the finals of the Miss Shropshire competition. Judges selected 16 finalists instead of just 10, as the scores were so close.

See our photo gallery below

Helping to choose the finalists were Model Events director Graham Whitehouse and Bada Bing owner Arfon Azan.

Organiser Rhona Shafik said the day had been extremely difficult as all of the girls and women were so charming and talented.

Each of the judges gave a score and the competitors had a nervous night of waiting until they were told of the results today.

Mrs Shafik said: "It was a mad, busy day – it was so hectic. The standard was really high and the marks were so close.

"We sat for several hours after adjudicating and then decided to put 16 girls through as the standard was extremely high.

"There are now 26 girls battling for the crown and the chance to represent Shropshire in the Miss England competition."

The finalists will now go through a further judging process and a public vote. The first round of auditions where the first 10 finalists were picked was held last month.

All of the competitors are between 17 and 24 and live, work or study within Shropshire.

To view all 26 finalists see our picture gallery below.

To vote for your favourite visit www.missengland.info/regionals/shropshire

By Kirsty Smallman nextpage

Fashion student Bethan Partridge, 18, of Bridgnorth

Danielle Gary, 16, a student from Telfordnextpage

Eloise Jones, 17, a Shrewsbury studentnextpage

Emily Belcher, 19, a Shrewsbury studentnextpage

Jenna Howes, 22, a hairdresser from Shrewsburynextpage

Kayleigh Bould, 16, a student from Pattinghamnextpage

Kirsty Liddell, 21, a project support officer from Telfordnextpage

Layla Weirowski, 20, a student from Market Draytonnextpage

Melissa Wilde, 23, an IT software developer from Telfordnextpage

Nicole Phillips, 18, a student from Shrewsbury nextpage

Rebecca Bailey, 23, a service supervisor, from Whitchurch

Tanya Bennett, 20, a waitress and barmaid from Telfordnextpage

Janine Isherwood, 18, a beauty therapist from Whitchurchnextpage

Sarah Jane Howard, 21, a geography student and gymnastics coach, from Shrewsbury nextpage

Natasha Gadsby, 21, a care assistant, from Telfordnextpage

Sally Mills, 23, a model, from Wombournenextpage

The first 10 finalists picked by the competition judges

Amy Edwards, 18, a student from Shifnalnextpage

Casey Morrison, 20, a sales advisor from Wellington

Cassie James, 24, a veterinary nurse from Upton Magna

Claire Wassell, 21, a business & marketing student from Edgmond nextpage

Emily Grimson, 18, a PA student from Bridgnorthnextpage

Hollie Copsey, 22, from Telfordnextpage

Kerry Price, 22, from Shrewsburynextpage

Kimberley Littler, 20, a fitness instructor from Market Draytonnextpage

Lucy Westley, 20, a receptionist from Telfordnextpage

Teri Kempton, 23, a sales rep from Telford