BLACKPOOL'S brightest nitespot Brannigans has always shown the way when it comes to putting its home town on the map.

And now the generous Market Street gang has joined with other businesses in the area to step in and save the day for Miss Blackpool after previous organisers Leisure Parcs decided to pull the plug on the popular beauty contest.

Calling an emergency meeting, Brannigans general manager Jim McIntyre, DJ and entertainments manager Pete Schofield and Dominic Herdman, general manager of Blackpool's Waterfront nightclub, got their heads together and came up with the perfect solution.

The town's top eating, drinking and cavorting hotspot will host all five heats of this year's Miss Blackpool and kicks off in style tonight (July 29).

Three beauties will go through to the final from this first heat and meet up with subsequent top trios from the remaining four at the grand final destined for the Washington Suite of Blackpool's Imperial Hotel on September 2. Good-time guvnor Jim is very enthusiastic about the contest, telling the Citizen: "I am proud to uphold the tradition of Miss Blackpool and am very excited Brannigans, along with our other sponsors, were able to save the day."

Hosted by the Merrie England Bar's Joey Blower and Brannigans own Pete Schofield with input from deputy manager Lisa Hill, the gorgeous girls will be under the wing of top models Karen-Jean Smith and Sue Knight of Angels Elite Models and Promotions.

Miss Blackpool is mainly sponsored by Brannigans with assistance from the Waterfront, The World Famous Palace Nightclub, Club Heaven and Hell, Blackpool Superbowl and Henderson Management which supplies all the top entertainment for Brannigans.

Dominic of the Waterfront said of the contest: "I am delighted the competition is staying a part of Blackpool's culture."

And Brannigans own Pete Schofield added: "It's great to see Miss Blackpool going into the Millennium."

Not only will heat finalists enjoy being part of such a prestigious event, but they also scoop cash prizes and the newly crowned Miss Blackpool picks up a wonderful £1,000 with runners up receiving £400 and £250 respectively.

If you would like to attend the glittering grand final on September 2 at the Imperial Hotel you can sponsor a table for up to ten people which includes a five-course meal. Contact Sue McKenzie at Brannigans on (01253) 752277. Or if you think you have what it takes to be the Millennium's Miss Blackpool, call (01386) 555777 or (0860) 451878.

Brannigans opens doors at 7pm with the contest running between 8.30pm and 9.30pm plus fun and frolics provided by Pete Schofield continuing until 1am.

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