An American-style beauty pageant for students was launched last week in Edinburgh.

The competition, which judges contestants on their physical beauty, will be the first of its kind in Scotland's capital.

Belles and beaus from the city's five universities will battle it out in April to win the title of Mr and Miss Studentbody and £2,000 prize money.

The beauty pageant phenomenon can be traced back to the first Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City in 1921. Similar contests are now held in many countries across the world and major international events such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth are well documented.

Though they remain popular in America, beauty pageants have attracted criticism for enforcing the objectification of women in society.

Initial rounds of voting for the Edinburgh contestants will be done through the pageant's website, which will feature photographs and personality profiles of the competitors.

Though the event is termed a beauty pageant, organisers insist that contestants' personalities and style will play a large part in the final decision.

Contestant Abi O’Connor, a second year student at the University of Edinburgh, told The Journal that the contest provided a means of interacting with other students.

She said: “It’s a great opportunity for intervarsity relationships; it’s a way to socialise with students from all the different Universities across Edinburgh, which is not something we often have the chance to do.”

The twelve weeks of online voting will culminate in a fashion show featuring the top contestants on Wednesday 9 April at Edinburgh nightclub GRV, where the winners will be announced.