GLAMOROUS girls are being encouraged to enter the running to become the new Miss Oxford.

Dozens of contestants have already entered this year’s contest, but the deadline is fast approaching.

Entrants include Harriett Mullins, 17, from Tackley, who wants to help stop bullying; Jessica Chai, 17, from Chipping Norton, who is organising a charity fashion show for the homeless at Oxford’s Clarendon Shopping Centre; and NHS nurse Kelly Wright, 23, from Headington, who enjoys ballroom dancing.

Suzanne Ball, 23, from Eynsham, a finalist in last year’s competition, also signed up.

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley said: “We are looking for a young lady to represent the whole of Oxfordshire in the Miss England grand final this year. We have had about 30 entrants so far.

“We’re not just a beauty contest – the girls have to be talented and care about other people. During the past two years, Miss England girls have raised more than £120,000 for charities, including £80,000 for the Institute of Cancer.”

Hopefuls, who must be single and aged 17 to 24, have until April 20 to enter.

The winner, who will be picked from a shortlist of girls chosen to take part in an audition at the Fresh Academy in Watford next month, will go forward to represent the county in the Miss England final in July.

Mrs Beasley said: “Oxfordshire has a strong history in the Miss England competition – Daniella Luan became Miss England in 2002 and Eleanor Glynn was Miss England in 2006.”

Ms Luan, from Sandhills, said the experience had been incredible.

On the Miss England website, she wrote: “After winning the title, I was featured in Hello, Now and OK as well as many other leading newspapers and magazines.”

Lyndsay Fayle, 17, from Denchworth, near Wantage, is the current Miss Oxford.

To enter, see the website missengland.info and fill in the online application.