BUDDING beauty queens hoping to one day wear the crown for Wales have been warming up for the top event at Aberglasney's tropical indoor garden.

Conditions at the temperate Ninfarium, a garden created within the ruinous central rooms and courtyard of the mansion at Aberglasney, were perfect for keeping the winter chills at bay during the first round of the Miss Wales 2010 process.

Some 25 hopefuls from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire turned up at the gardens hoping for a place in the regional finals to be held at Carmarthen Town Hall on February 19. The top three from these qualifiers will go on to join other regional winners from across Wales for the Miss Wales contest held in June.

Clare Birt, of Vibe Models, the professional agency which organises the Miss Wales competition, said: "The key objective of the Miss Wales event is to help raise funds for worthy causes. Its commitment to beauty with a purpose means millions are raised for charity on an annual basis,"

Miss Wales attracts interest from about 1,000 women each year. The Miss Wales final is held annually in Cardiff, with the winner automatically guaranteed a place at the most respected and established contest in the world - Miss World. It has been more than 30 years since Miss Wales won the Miss World title, so hopes are high for 2010.