Budding fashion stars from across the district and beyond are a step closer to achieving their modeling dreams after being recognised in this year’s Bradford Modelsearch competition.

Around 100 aspiring models strutted their stuff in front of a panel of judges at the Kirkgate Centre yesterday in the hope of winning their section of the contest, which was run in association with the Telegraph & Argus and DK Model Agency.

This year also saw the introduction of a new T&A Readers’ Choice award for each age category, with all the finalists being put to a public vote.

For student Paige Boothroyd, 17, of Calverley, who was the judges’ choice in the 16 and over category, the competition was her first taste of the modeling world.

She said: “I’d like to do acting and modeling. I’m really proud to have won.

“I entered the competition with my friends to see how far we could get but I never expected to win.”

Shafraz Jeal, 25, of Leeds, who recently started modelling part time, also triumphed in the category after standing out well to the judges.

He said: “It’s a good platform to get noticed and seen so I can start my modelling career.”

Challenge College student Wagas Sher, 19, of Frizinghall, and 16-year-old Bethany Watmaugh, of Thornbury, scooped the T&A Readers’ Choice awards for the category.

Harry Willis, 11, of Eldwick, Bingley won both the judges’ and readers’ choice awards in the 11 to 15 age group while four-year-old Charlie Hedges, of Eccleshill, also scooped both prizes in the four to six category.

Judges’ prizes were also awarded to Harvey-Jo Hudson, ten, of Queensbury; Summer Farrar, nine, of Keighley; Elise Sugden, 12, of Cowling, and Deaella Ceasar, six, of Undercliffe.

T&A readers’ awards were also received by Ellie Williams, six, of Eccleshill; Summer Leigh Jones, 10, of Shipley; Lewis Hopps, seven, of Wrose, and Naomi Hope Thompson, 15, of Wyke.

Kirkgate Centre manager Catherine Riley said: “The quality of people who have entered has been amazing.

“There are lots and lots of people the agency has been interested in seeing, not just the people that have won.

“Each year the people of Bradford are telling us they want us to keep doing this.

“The readers’ choice competition has been extremely popular.”

The winners from the four age categories will share £500 in shopping vouchers and have the chance to be taken on by DK Model Agency.

Previous winners of Bradford Modelsearch have gone on to model for companies including DFS, Argos, Vidal Sassoon and Sports Direct.

They include seven-year-old Chloe Windle and Mikie Pryce, 14, who have been given jobs including DFS television advertisements.