THREE women from south Essex have been selected as finalists for the Miss Universe Essex 2015 competition.

Lucy Turner, 20, from Benfleet, Sophie Bephage, 19, of Rayleigh and Southend’s Abbie Goodwin, 23, were picked out at a semi-final event at Shades Nightclub, Southend.

They will now compete at the Miss Universe Essex final, to be held at Rayleigh Golf Club, in Hullbridge Road, on February 21.

Michael Baah, regional director of Miss Universe Essex, said: “The competition is all about personalities and how the contestants are with other people. It is not all about beauty.

Lucy, Sophie and Abbie, fought off competition from more than 5,000 girls to make it through to the final and be in with a chance of competing in Miss Universe Great Britain.

The judging panel was made up of eight independent referees.

Rounds included swimwear, formalwear and an outfit demonstrating the participant’s personality.

The three girls join 14 others who have already been selected for the final and Mr Baah said they are still on the lookout for more contestants.

He said: “We have 17 so far, but there are a minimum of 24 spots available in the final so there is plenty of space left if you think you’ve got what it takes.”

Before February’s final, all the girls will be holding in charity events to raise money for Strong Bones, the competition’s charity of choice that helps people in Essex suffering from brittle bone disease, bone cancer, scoliosis and arthritis.

The winner of the national competition will then face against women from across the globe to bag the Miss Universe crown.

With the global title comes a prize package valued at an estimated £20,000 and the opportunity to spend a year in New York on a salaried contract acting as an ambassador for a number of charities.

Miss Universe will also make appearances across the globe and appear on television and in other media.

Entries for Miss Universe Essex close on December 30. For more information and to enter visit missuniverse-essex.com