TONIGHT’S the night for one lucky woman from our region as the title Miss Southampton City is handed out together with a passport to the Miss Great Britain contest.

More than a dozen glamorous girls will take to the floor of Oceana nightclub for the title of Miss Southampton City in the regional heat of the beauty contest.

As well as impressing judges with the traditional swimsuit and evening gown rounds the contestants will have to show they have the personality and brains to represent the nation.

The competition, which features football WAG Danielle Lloyd amongst past winners, is celebrating it’s 65th year and organiser Liz Fuller, herself a former winner, is revamping the contest to include more women.

In a change to previous years the bikini round has been replaced with a swimsuit and the age limit has also been increased to ladies aged 29 or under.

The contest is also different to the Miss World contest – which saw trainee teacher Stephanie Tibbitt take the crown of Miss Southampton earlier this year - and is open to single mums and divorcees.

Liz, who is a TV presenter and model, said she is keen to shed the old image of the contest which seemed to exploit young women.

“I will be looking for a girl with great personality, intelligence and warmth, as well as beauty,” she said.

Liz believes the competition should be used as a platform for a successful career and wants to give the entrants all the career opportunities she enjoyed herself 13 years ago.

Contestants can be from anywhere in the country to enter the race to represent Southampton and the winner will be amongst 60 regional finalists at the final in London in November.

The competition is at the Ice House in Oceana.

Doors open at 8pm. Guests wishing to attend can be put on the guestlist by calling Oceana on 0845 313 2588