BEAUTY queen hopefuls are calling for support ahead of a national competition final.

Dance teacher Caroline Firth, from Lixwm, and student Emma Kay Stewart, from Buckley, are gearing up for the Miss Wales contest in July.

Caroline, who teaches ballet, tap and jazz to children at the Whitton-Morris School of Dance in Holywell, was automatically entered after she was crowned Miss Flintshire in January.

The 23-year-old, who completed a national diploma in musical theatre at Laine Theatre Arts in London, is now hoping to win over the judges in Cardiff.

She said: “What you see is what you get with me.

“My parents are very old-fashioned and brought me up with good manners.

“I’m a happy person and I aim to make those around me fell the same.”

Caroline, a receptionist at a doctor’s surgery in Holywell, was able to enter the contest with sponsorship from The Red Lion pub in Northop.

She said: “I used to work at the pub as a waitress and have always kept in touch.

“The staff have agreed to let me hold a race night and a pub quiz to raise money for charity before the final.” The pair will be raising funds for The Joshua Foundation in the run-up to the contest, which helps children with terminal cancer and their families.

Also playing her part will be Emma Kay, who came third in the Miss Flintshire competition which also guaranteed her a place in the Miss Wales final.

The 17-year-old is a business studies student at Deeside College who hopes to further her studies at university in Liverpool with a view to working in the fashion industry.

Wedding dress shop Llewellyn Shaw Of Hawarden provided the sponsorship for Emma Kay, who enjoys netball and going out with friends.

She said: “I spoke to a girl who had entered Miss Flintshire the previous year who told me I should go for it, so I just did. I’m over the moon to be in the Miss Wales contest. Now it is just a case of preparing for the interview.”

Contestants will interviewed during the day of the final before they take to the catwalk in the evening for casual wear, little black dress and evening wear rounds in front of a panel of judges.

The final is on Saturday, July 2 at St David’s Hall in Cardiff from 7.30pm. Tickets are £20, available by calling 029 2087 8500.

-  To vote for Caroline ahead of final judging, call 0901 293 7937 and add 17. To vote for Emma Kay, add 51.