A BEVY of beauties lined up for their chance to become this year's Miss Bolton - and you can watch our video online now.

But the Bolton girls lost out and the accolade went to an aspiring actress from Chester.

Watch our video HERE

Claire-Louise Catterall, aged 21, will now represent Bolton in Miss England 2007.

The contest was keenly fought by 15 beauties at the De Vere Whites Hotel in Horwich.

Casting their eyes over the proceedings were judges Kevin Nolan, Bolton Wanderers' captain, his defender teammate Nicky Hunt, and the current Miss England, Eleanor Glynn, from Oxford.

The girls were put through their paces, starting the evening with an energetic dance routine.

They then proved to be a deadly combination of beauty and brains as they showed off their assets in the swimsuit, evening wear, and interview sections of the competition.

A charity auction at the black tie event raised more than £1,000 for the Lucie Blackman Trust, which aims to educate women and young people about their personal safety.

Asked what attributes he would be looking for in a potential Miss Bolton, Kevin Nolan said: "Someone who is beautiful inside and out and someone who can go on to the finals and actually win Miss England.

"I know it means a lot to the girls to come here and strut their stuff and be in with a chance of winning the title.

"Obviously I'm very happy to be able to support the event because we're also raising money for a very worthwhile charity."

Eventual winner Claire-Louise, who works as an airline cabin crew member, said: "I was a bit worried when I found out I was going to be contestant number 13 but it's definitely going to be my lucky number from now on."

Claire-Louise came runner-up in last week's Miss Chester competition.

She said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. All the girls have been so friendly. I haven't got a clue how I will do in the Miss England contest because there are so many gorgeous girls. All I can do is go and try my best."

Stunning Charlotte Campbell, from Manchester, came runner-up for the second year in a row. In third place was Zara Hafeez.

Local girl Kayleigh Lord, aged 19, a trainee shop supervisor from Belmont Village, said: "This is my first competition but I am definitely going to keep going. I'm too short for fashion modelling but I'd love to appear in lads' mags."

The Miss England final will be held in June.

Lucie Blackman disappeared while on a gap year in Toyko in 2000. Her dismembered body was found nine months later and a man is currently on trial charged with her murder.

For further information about the Lucie Blackman Trust visit www.lucieblackmantrust.org.