GLAMOROUS girls from across the region will be battling it out on the catwalk this weekend for a chance to be crowned Miss Black Country 2016.

The finals of the popular pageant will be held at The Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill this Sunday (May 22).

More than 600 applicants were whittled down to 33 finalists who have been busy promoting themselves, raising money for the Miss World registered charity Beauty With a Purpose and proving themselves as ambassadors for the Black Country.

On May 12 finalists were put through their paces in a military circuit style event at Pure Gym, Brierley Hill, to find the winner of the Miss Sportswoman title, and their final test comes this weekend when they will do battle in a catwalk-style show for the coveted title and the chance to represent the region at the Miss England grand finals.

The Miss Black Country final will comprise a series of rounds - charity, sports, social media and publicity, and eco (which requires contestants to make a dress or outfit from eco-friendly items and which has replaced the old-fashioned bikini wear round of yesteryear).

Three places to progress to the next round will be up for grabs. The winner of the Miss Black Country crown will be fast-tracked through to the Miss England grand finals in Southport on July 20 and 21, and the Miss England organisation is also offering the first and second runners-up places in the Miss England semi-finals taking place on Saturday June 11 at Kelham Hall, Newark.

Rachael Barker, regional director for Miss Black Country, said: “I am so pleased that more of the girls will get the chance to represent our local area and spread the work about how amazing the Black Country really is.

"All of the girls have worked so hard to raise charity fundraising, find a company to support them, get in touch with the media and get out and about in the local community.

"I have never seen such a charitable and hard-working group of young ladies and I do not envy the judges.”

Tickets for the event, which includes a buffet dinner, cake and entertainment, have been selling fast.

For availability go to http://www.missenglandwm.com/tickets.html or email info@missenglandwm.com.

To see the finalists and vote for your favourite go to http://www.missenglandwm.com/blackcountry.html. 

Voting ends at 8pm on the night of the final - Sunday May 22.