THE search for Weston’s Top Model is back for its second year and promises to be bigger than ever.

Weston Mercury: The judgesThe judges (Image: Archant)

More than 110 businesses are on board with this year’s not-for-profit contest, which has been designed to promote the different independent shops in the area.

This year the competition is open to men and women and will have two teams competing against each other.

The competition will run for six weeks starting on June 7 and each round will be recorded in an episode which will be available to watch online.

The public will vote alongside a panel of judges for the best photo from each week. This year’s judges are last year’s winner Antonia Newton, male model Shane Nolan, top model worldwide contestant Jalicia Hebson and Big Brother star Faye Palmer.

Each weekly photo shoot will have a different theme and take place at various locations in North Somerset.

Applications are now being taken and anyone over the age of 18 and living in Weston can apply. The deadline for applications is May 24.

Organiser Aaron Al-Jeryan said: “The show is not concerned about dictating what is a socially acceptable way to look or dress as we are certainly not a modelling agency.

“The show is simply an opportunity for creative, enthusiastic people to come together to create a show that showcases something positive about the people within our community.”

The final will be held in the Winter Gardens on July 18 from 7pm to midnight. Tickets for the evening event will cost £7.50 and will include a carnival-themed after party.

The final will follow a day-long fashion event at the venue, which will feature clothing stalls, make-up artists, catwalks and other displays to promote businesses in Weston and the surrounding area. The event will be held from 10am-4pm and will be free to enter.

Mr Al-Jeryan added: “We really hope to show our community what we can do when we work together.

“Our town is most often noted for the negatives like antisocial behaviour, drunks, violence etc, but we are people of this town too and we hope that people will get involved and create something different, fun and positive.”

To buy tickets for the final or to enter the competition visit www.westontopmodel.co.uk

Daily updates will be available on the competition Facebook page, which can be found by searching for ‘Weston’s Top Model’.