THE finals of Kirkgate’s 16th annual Modelsearch turned out to be a family affair with both a mother and daughter and three siblings winning in different categories.

Over 300 contestants attended heats for the event and the best 98 were invited back to take to the catwalk at the end of September.

The models ranged from four year olds to 87-year-old Peter McDonald – indicating that it is never too early or too late to start a model career.

One firm favourite on the catwalk was the ever elegant Marcia Tait, aged 45, Marcia entered the first ever Modelsearch in 2002 and her daughter won in the teenage category in 2016.

“The quality, enthusiasm and energy of our finalists was only matched by their amazing style and fashion sense,” commented Catherine Riley, Kirkgate Centre Manager and one of the judges.

“There was certainly no shortage of talent and our agency looks forward to talking in more detail to several of the models” echoed Saskia Vesey from DK Model Management.

The event featured all the models walking down the catwalk, posing for pictures and testing their choreographic skills with some simple turns while the judges had the difficult job of selecting just one boy and girl in each of four categories.

The final selection will be invited back to the Centre for a full fashion photoshoot in the spring after which they will be presented with a digital portfolio. These images will also be used in the marketing campaign for The Kirkgate.

This year's winners turned out to enjoy a series of family connections with both the adult category and 11 to 15 category being won by mother and daughter Stephanie and Sienna Brandolino.

Further family favorites where the 11 to 15 boys where 14-year-old twins Emils and Daniels Knaps were the winners with their sister 24-year-old Darina Skipina being selected as a runner up in the adult category.

The final winning line-up is as follows:

4 to 6 Girl Winner - Anna Broniarek age 4 from Bradford – A pupil at Grove House Primary School.

4 to 6 Boy Winner – Ashton Hardacre age 4 from Bradford – A pupil at Wibsey Primary School.

7 to 10 Girl Winner – Sehr Nadeem age 10 An enthusiastic dancer and who also signs and learns signing.

7 to 10 Boy Winner - Lewis Windle age 10 from Bradford – A keen footballer and drummer.

11 to 15 Girl Winner – Sienna Brandolino age 11 from Oakworth and a pupil at North Halifax Grammer School who loves dancing, singing and netball.

11 to 15 Boy Winners – Twins Emils and Daniels Knaps age 14 – Both members of the Bradford Dragons Basketball squad.

Adult Girl winner – Stephanie Brandolino age 41 from Oakworth

Adult Male Winner – Umar Nadeem age 18 from Bradford

Because the quality of models was so strong additional ‘runners-up’ were invited to attend the Spring Photo-Shoot as follows: Saffron Farr-Hoey age 17; Sumia Hussain age 22; Darina Skipina age 24; Nathan Kevins age 17.