THE FINALISTS of Miss Torfaen 2011 - the local qualifier for Miss Wales - have been selected and this year it is a family affair.

Bethan Vaughan, 24 from Pontypool, will compete against her cousin Leah Gay, 18 from Cwmbran, for the title of Miss Torfaen 2011. Miss Vaughan, a university student, has competed in a number of beauty pageants before, but shop worker Miss Gay will be competing in her first competition.

The rounds in the final include a casual wear round, a little black dress round and an evening wear round.

The final will take place in the Congress Theatre on January 14.

As in previous years, the contestants will fundraise for The Joshua Foundation - a charity for children with terminal cancer - ahead of the big day.

Event organiser, Paula Abbandonato from Vibe, said: "I think we have a tremendous line up of young women in the competition this year. They interviewed extremely well and we are confident that the next Miss Torfaen will be a good candidate for the Miss Wales crown."

For more information visit misswales.co.uk The 12 young hopefuls are: Sarah Bousie, a 22 year old sales supervisor from Pontypool; Jemma Cox, a 17 year old student from Pontypool; Laura Curtis, an 18 year old student from Cwmbran; Emily Davies, a 16 year old student from Pontypool; Elis De Souza, an 18 year old student from Cwmbran; Leah Gay, an 18 year old student from Cwmbran; Megan Jenkins, a 17 year old student from Cwmbran; Rio Mansfield, an 18 year old student from Pontypool; Mairwen Palazon, an 18 year old student from Pontymoel; Caitlin Reardon, a 16 year old student from Cwmbran; Zoe Ryan, a 20 year old student from Cwmbran and Bethan Vaughan, a 24 year old student from Pontypool