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Melissa Patton from Belfast was crowned as this year’s Junction One Miss Northern Ireland at a high profile awards ceremony attended by reigning Miss World Tat’ana Kucharova, Blue Peter presenter and former Miss NI Zoe Salmon and last year’s winner Catherine Milligan.

Twenty-six girls took part in the grand final held at the Europa Hotel and Melissa will now go on to represent Northern Ireland in the 2007 Miss World contest due to be held in December in the People’s Republic of China.

Pictured with Northern Ireland’s top beauty queen are runner-up   Jenny Curran, left and Emma Catling who won third place.

The Miss NI competition, organised by Alison Campbell, is this year celebrating its 21^st birthday and received hundreds of entries during its 13 heats held provincewide. Prizes for the title holder and all finalists include Junction One gift vouchers, a range of fashion and beauty products and a year’s modelling contract with the complete prize package worth almost £40,000. Miss NI 2007 also wins a brand new Honda car from Downeys of Newtownards for the duration of her reign and an all expenses paid, month long trip to China fro the Miss World event.  

Congratulating Melissa on her success Alison Campbell said, “Winning Miss NI is a once in a lifetime opportunity and Melissa is set for a hugely exciting year especially when she travels to China to enter Miss World 2007. I’ve no doubt Melissa will make a wonderful ambassador for Northern Ireland.” 

Ends

Media contact: Sarah Weir or Rosemary Allister, JPR Tel 028 9076 0066 or mobile (Sarah)  07866 496462 or email [email protected]. Or contact Alison Campbell Tel 028 9080 9809.

Editors’ Notes:

Junction One

·        Since opening on 31^st May 2004, Junction One has attracted 10 million visitors.

·        A second phase of outlet shopping is already over 60% let and is set to open in Autumn 2007.

·        Junction One currently comprises over 55 units.

·        Recent research carried out by retail specialists CACI showed that 85% of shoppers at Junction One were repeat visitors.

CACI research also indicated that the average spend at Junction One had reached an all time high, with increased dwell time and over 86% or respondents being extremely positive about their Junction One experience