Twenty-two-year-old Judith Wilson from Ballinamallard has this week reached the prestigious Miss Northern Ireland final.

Judith, a grand-daughter of Joan and the late Senator Gordon Wilson, won the Miss Down Royal heat in Lisburn on Saturday night.

The former Enniskillen Collegiate student is currently finishing her final music teaching exams in Glasgow, but took time out last weekend to attend the contest.

She now goes forward to compete with 24 others at a gala ceremony to be held in the Europa Hotel on Monday, 25th June where the winner is set to receive thousands of pounds worth of prizes, including a brand new Honda car for the duration of her reign.

Miss Northern Ireland 2007 will also win an all expenses paid, month long trip representing Northern Ireland in this year's, Miss World contest.

The quest to find Northern Ireland's top beauty moved up a gear this year with event organiser, Allison Campbell (Modelling Agency) celebrating her 21st anniversary in the driving seat of the competition.

Entrants aged between 17 and 24 years were called upon to take over the crown from the reigning Miss Northern Ireland, Catherine Milligan.

"We need someone," Alison explained, "who looks good, is a good communicator, has the ability to speak well in public and wants to carry out as many modelling and promotional assignments in the next year, and who is free or could be free for a month to go to the Miss World Final."

Speaking to the 'Herald' this week, Judith revealed that it was former Miss Northern Ireland, Mary McCartney from Enniskillen who encouraged her to enter.

After being interviewed on stage at the ceremony in Lisburn, the entrants were whittled down to seven, then two, before Judith finally emerged the winner from the group of 21.

The judging panel included the reigning Miss Northern ºIreland, Catherine Milligan, event organiser Alison Campbell and sponsor representatives.

Prior to this latest career episode, Judith has modelled locally for the Model School, and for a variety of shops and towns throughout the county. This however, will be her first big slice of things to come, and she can't wait for the Northern Ireland final.

"I was briefed," she explained, "that I would be interviewed and that I had to wear a nice dress, but for the final I've been told that I have to model a variety of clothes. I was asked questions on my views on how I would represent Northern Ireland, questions about myself, my interests and my hobbies. I had been told the winner would need to well-spoken, interview well and speak clearly."