SCORES of hopefuls descended on Colchester town centre in a bid to strut their stuff and become the model of the future.

Hundreds of men, women and children queued up to be part of Modelsearch, which has been launched by the Gazette and Culver Square, with the aim of helping potential stars get a foot in the door of the modelling industry.

The first scouting day, on Saturday, saw 281 men and women of all ages take part.

Organiser Mick Knowles said he was delighted with the turnout as well as the weather, as threatened rainfall failed to materialise. He said it was a record turnout.

He said: “I have never done an event where so many people have come already with their forms from the newspaper.

“There are some nice-looking young kids, and some good-looking families.”

Justine Terry, from Tiptree, entered her three-year-old son, Marshall, in the competition.

“We were just in town and I saw it and thought, ‘why not?’” she said.

“I think he’s quite handsome – he could be the next supermodel.

“His nursery photographs always come out well. They always manage to get a pose out of him.”

Other young hopefuls include nine-year-old Annie and her sister Millie Ashwell, aged ten, who made the trip with mum, Laura, and her sister, Jo.

Laura, from Clacton, said she thought her daughters were pretty. She said: “We were coming here anyway, so we thought we would give it a go. They both want to be actresses.”

A second scouting day will take place on Saturday, May 9, with a shortlist of 80 finalists invited to return to Culver Square on Sunday, May 24.

The free competition is divided into four categories; four to six, seven to ten, 11 to 15 and 16 and above.

Eight winners, one male and one female from each group, will take part in a fashion shoot. The results will be featured in Culver Square’s Autumn/Winter magazine.

Sandra Reynolds Model Agency will also choose one adult for a test photoshoot, while Truly Scrumptious Child Model Agency will award a year’s placement to one boy and girl.

Other contestants may be scouted too. Heat winners will be announced in the Gazette on May 6.