TWELVE young women are competing for this year’s coveted Miss Oxford crown.

The title will give one of them the chance to take part in the Miss England finals.

And the winner of Miss England can then go on to the big one – Miss World in Vietnam.

Former Miss England winner Daniella Luan-Timms, 29, now a model and mother-of-two, was on the judging panel at last year’s Miss Oxford final and is organising this year’s contest on behalf of the organisers of the Miss England finals.

Miss Luan-Timms, from Waterstock, near Oxford, won the Miss Oxford title in 2002 and went on to be crowned Miss England.

She flew to Nigeria to compete in the Miss World competition. The trip was marred by political unrest about the proposed death sentence of a Nigerian woman, which was later overturned.

But the traumatic experience did not put Miss Luan-Timms off.

She said: “As I know myself, this could be a great opportunity for these women.

“It’s a strong competition this year and the finalists, who have been chosen from across Oxfordshire, are all looking forward to the final.

“The Active Channel is making a programme about the contestants to be shown on September 2.”

Miss Luan-Timms selected the 12 finalists to take part in the Miss Oxford final on Thursday from more than 60 entrants, aged 18 to 24, at the Camera Club in St Ebbe’s, Oxford.

The winner of Miss England in July will take part in the 60th World Cup Final in Vietnam in November.

Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge is the current Miss England. Competition organiser Angie Beasley said: “The 2010 Miss England final will include a sports round as part of the competition and contestants will have to be physically fit like Katrina to take part.”

Miss Oxford contestants can also win gym membership at David Lloyd, a photoshoot and portfolio with Jonathan Dunbar Photography, and a chance to work for a top modelling agency.

For tickets to the Miss Oxford final on Thursday email dandatimms@yahoo.com

This year’s 12 finalists are: Sophie Wiesztort, 17, beauty therapy student from Witney; Amelia Edginton, 19, singer/songwriter from Witney; Amelia Watt, 20, primary education student from Oxford; Jade Sutherland, 19, accounting student from Rose Hill; Stephanie-Jane Primarolo, 17, student from Kidlington; Faye Bowles, 18, student from Carterton; Charlotte Goodman-Brooks, 21, student from Witney; Rachel Davis, 19, beauty therapist from Didcot; Camilla Chia, 20, student from Oxford; Laura Humphries, 17, wants to be a model; Elena Martin, 18, wants to be a model, and Gemma Luke, 21, commercial law postgraduate from Oxford.