the Miss World contest at the end of this year -- and at the same time picking up the Miss Bermuda Islands Pageant top prize of $10,000 in cash.

Entries are one up on last year's competition, won by Miss Diana Mitchell.

Contestants registered at the Blue Water Anglers' Club on Friday and organiser Mr. Terry Smith was delighted with the turn-out.

"I believe it is going to be an extremely tight contest this year,'' he said.

The winner will take home $10,000 and travel to Sun City in South Africa for the Miss World contest. Miss Bermuda Islands takes place at the Southampton Princess on Sunday, August 29.

Missing from the picture above are Rachel Smith, Nakia Scott, Diane DeSilva, Marcia Vanderpool, Alexandria Dowling, Roschee Young and Anita Huey.

SMILE PLEASE -- Entrants in this year's Miss Bermuda Islands contest pose for the camera. At top right is Crystal Caesar. Seated rear (from left) are Amanda Petty, Nicole Belboda, Cheryl-Jean Harris and Taliyah Evans. Next row, Libby Cook and Shinika Woods, and at the front (clockwise from top) are Jameka Paynter, Jenice Burrows, Michelle Fray, Keillie Hall and Ingrid Welch.