AS Blackpool roasted in the summer sun nowhere was hotter than the Palace nightclub last Friday (June 16) as beautiful women from around the country battled it out to become Miss Spring Babe 2000.

But beauty starts at home -- and it was Miss Blackpool herself Caroline Porter, pictured, beating off stiff opposition to come first and snatch the £3000 prize.

And she was even pitted against former Miss Blackpool and old school-friend Caroline Loben. "I've known Caroline for ages and we always go along to these events and support each other," said Miss Porter.

"I was taken aback when I arrived and saw the other girls," she added. "They were all so pretty and confident that I really didn't think I had much of a chance." But triumph she did, and now she is planning ways to spend her £3000 prize. "I'm going on holiday to Cyprus with my boyfriend in three weeks time," she said.

"But I'm saving the rest of it. What I really want to do is be an air stewardess and I am already in the process of applying with Virgin."

In third place and winning a case of champagne was Sharon Gibson from the club Utopia in Reading, and in second place, winning a mini-cruise, was Hailey Dixon, from Utopia in Blackburn.

All the other girls taking part received a gigantic bouquet of flowers.

Manager of the Palace, Bashir Rassas, said the night was a fantastic success and it was good to see the prize of Miss Spring Babe going to a Blackpool winner.

"It was a great night," he said. "Not only did we have the Miss Spring Babe 2000 contest but the atmosphere in the club was wonderful."