A Children's pageant with a difference will be launched in Southampton to boost the confidence of disabled youngsters.

The Follow Your Dreams charity is hosting its first fundraising event, hoping to move away from the stereotypical beauty pageant and establish a competition that leaves everyone involved with a sense of achievement.

The Lil Miss and Mr Southampton show will take place at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, on February 10, with TOWIE star Billie Faiers, adding a bit of extra glamour to the proceedings.

Rather than just having the standard catwalk prance, youngsters of all abilities will be invited to showcase their talent to entertain the audiences, instead of just posing.

This event will be for local children and there are three age categories 0-three, four- seven and eight-16 and these will be for both “Lil Miss” and “Lil Man”.

Every entrant will win a prize and there are more than two dozen crowns to be awarded to the winners.

By mingling participants from the less able -bodied with all the other children it promotes the main aims of the charity.

The charity aims to promote confidence and a sense of achievement for children with disabilities by involving them with able bodied children doing their stuff on stage. The panel of judges for the event will consist of at least two beauty queens from across the UK, plus a representative from a modelling agency.

The overall winner will receive a free entry into the Lil Miss/Mr World competition scheduled for later in 2013.

There is also £500 of cash prizes to win as well as a modelling contract from a London agency.

This will be the first of many such events to be arranged throughout the UK and if you would like more details and an application form to enter the Southampton competition please call 07568 516125 or email at starrs415@yahoo.com.