Hotel; contestants prepare for photographs; various shots of representatives of Nigeria, Austria, Canada, Gibraltar, Iceland, Argentine, Australia, South Africa, Liberia, New Zealand, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Turkey, U.K., U.S.A., Venezuela, France, Yugoslavia, Mexico, Jamaica, Tunisia, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Bahamas, Brazil, Belgium, Israel, Philippines (NATSOF)




Initials AH/V/BOB/PC



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Background: Top beauties from 62 countries are gathering in London for the annual Miss World Contest. Today (Thursday), seven days before the contest is due to be held, there was a London preview of the beauties who will be competing for over GBP4,000-worth (9,600 dollars) of prizes, including a first prize of GBP2,500 (6,000 dollars).

This year, the contest has expanded, moving into London's Royal Albert Hall where an audience of 4,000 people is expected to watch the judging on November 27. Organisers report that tickets are already almost sold-out.

And already the contest has been the subject of controversy. British Young Liberals requested the organisers to withdraw recognition of Miss South Africa, 18-year-old Linda Collett. The Young Liberals claimed that Miss Collett's selection had not been decided on a non-racial basis, and that she in fact represented only White South Africans. Their request was turned down.

Mecca, the organisers, say that the contest is completely non-political. It is, in fact, being held in aid of charity, proceeds going to handicapped children.

One contestant was treated to a birthday party as soon as she arrived. Model Stefane Meuren, Miss Australia, celebrated her 21st birthday yesterday (Wednesday).