A FORMER Miss England joined scouts scouring shoppers for the next Miss Hampshire.

Business graduate Laura Coleman, 25, was in WestQuay shopping centre in Southampton to help the Daily Echo-backed hunt for potential contestants.

She said: “We are looking for a well rounded girl who has the personality and beauty and the talent to become a future beauty queen.”

One of those taking part is 21-year-old dancer and dance teacher Lorna Bews from Ringwood. She said: “It’s about drive and knowing what you believe in, and having confidence and personality.”

Lorna has won a place in the finals taking place in WestQuay in February, with the winner of that going forward to the Miss England title and possibly the Miss World final which is being held in Mongolia.

Entrants must be between 17 and 24 and enter before a deadline of Friday, January 27.

Finalists will then be selected to take part in the Miss Hampshire final at the end of February where they will be required to take part in four stages, comprising an interview, a sportswear round, a daywear and an evening wear round.

To find out more visit missengland.info/regionals/hampshire.

Laura is pictured, centre, with Amelia-Josie Edwards, Angela Alexandre, Chantelle Lewis, Laura Coleman, Lorna Bews, Kerry Ann Di Maria and Charlotte Lewis.