THE Chronicle's search for the new Faces of Barnsley begins today.

Boys and girls have five weeks to perfect their favourite pose and prove that they are the fairest of them all.

The competition is in its sixth year and with hundreds of entries received last year we want even more Barnsley beauties in 2009.

Chronicle photographers will also be out and about near Barnsley College encouraging you all to enter. Last year's winner, Nikki Booker, says entering her in the competition was one of the best decisions her mum has ever made.

"I would never have had the opportunities I have had this year if my mum hadn't sent my picture in - I was really pleased that she did.

"I am now signed to a modelling agency, Models Connect and really hope to get some more work this year.

"I won't be able to follow the competition this year if I'm not doing things myself; I would be too jealous, it's such an amazing experience."

Nikki, who has graced cat walks, appeared on Sky Sports and held the FA Cup since winning the competition said the final was nerve-wracking but worth it.

She said: "I would encourage everyone to do it; it hasn't changed my life completely and I am still concentrating on college work but it has opened doors that otherwise would have stayed closed."

All entries will appear in a special free supplement that comes with the newspaper on Friday February 20.

Readers will then have a chance to vote for their favourite faces before our entrants will be whittled down to ten - five girls and five boys.

The top ten will go through to a finals night at Citrus Rooms in March when a panel of judges will choose the faces of Barnsley 2009.