EIGHT young women from Monmouthshire have been chosen to go forward to the final of Miss Monmouthshire on Friday 6th March

The event is being sponsored by The Dress-Stop.com, Cardiff's leading supplier of eveningwear and prom wear, and will take place at The Metropole, Abertillery.

The winner of the event will be crowned Miss Monmouthshire and she, along with her two runners-up, will be awarded a place in the final of Miss Wales 2009 next summer.

Event organiser, Paula Abbandonato, from Vibe Models said: "We were thrilled with the number of girls who applied to take part this year, and it has been quite a task narrowing them down to the final 10."

As part of their preparations, the girls will be tasked with fundraising for The Joshua Foundation, a charity aimed at giving life experiences for children with cancer.

Paula added: "In 2009, we aim to raise £100,000 for the charity through the Miss Wales competition. I am confident that the Monmouthshire heat will make a great contribution to that activity."

Tickets for Miss Monmouthshire are priced at £15 and are available at http://www.misswales.co.uk">www.misswales.co.uk