VOTING for the Miss Wales beauty pageant has now opened, with three contestants from the Vale of Glamorgan among those competing for the coveted prize.

Jade Detheridge, 20, from Penarth, is joined by Barry’s 19-year-old Ellie Cousins and Hanna Thomas, also 19, of Llantwit Major, as the Vale’s representatives in the competition. Thirty-eight girls from across Wales will battle it out to be crowned Miss Wales 2018, with the winner gaining entry to the renowned Miss World pageant later in the year.

On finding out she had made the final, Miss Detheridge said: “I applied for Miss Wales through an advert I saw. I didn’t think anything of it initially, then a couple of months later I was invited for an interview.

“When I heard I’d made the final I couldn’t believe it.”

The trio will be hoping to follow, at least partially, in the footsteps of Helen Morgan, the former model from the Vale of Glamorgan who was the last Welsh woman to triumph in the Miss World finals back in 1974. Ms Morgan was something of an infamous victor however, being forced to relinquish her crown over revelations regarding her private life.

As well as being a beauty pageant, Miss Wales strives to have a positive impact on good causes and has helped raise nearly £500,000 for children’s charities since 2004.

This year’s Miss Wales contestants will be responsible for raising as much money as possible for ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ - Miss World’s global charity – in the run up to the final.

Miss Detheridge said: “I’d love to raise some money for the charity, Beauty With a Purpose, and also to learn new skills.

“I entered just to boost my confidence and to build friendships. Everyone I’ve met so far has been lovely.”

And all three girls from the Vale are agreed on why they wanted to get involved.

Miss Thomas said: “More than anything it was a confidence thing and to meet new people.

“I’ve never been very confident, but meeting all the girls from the different regions has really built that.”

And Miss Cousins added: “A lot of people have asked me, are you in it to win, but to me it’s just an experience.

“I get to meet amazing people, you’re in it together. I’d love to take friends and memories away from it and to make my family proud.

The Miss Wales 2018 final is being held at The Riverfront arts centre in Newport on Saturday, April 28. To vote, visit: miss wales.co.uk/Miss_Wales_2018_Finalists_Voting_Line.