A THREE-year-old beauty pageant contestant is competing to be crowned Mini Miss Wigan.

Toddler Olivia Steward, of Eyet Street in Leigh, will be up against 12 other little hopefuls in the Miss Teen Wigan Beauty competition held in aid of Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Taking place on April 16 in Wigan’s Bellingham Hotel, the competition has five categories.

The Mini Miss Wigan Beauty pageant is for youngsters aged three to six and has been organised by Leonie Pemberton, who won the Miss Charity title in the 2014 Miss Teen Wigan Beauty competition.

It is made up of four rounds and sees youngsters catwalk dressed in handmade Wigan themed dresses, a pink short knee-length dress, party/ fancy dress wear and evening wear.

Each contestant needs to raise a minimum of £25, which will be donated to Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Olivia, with the help of mum Emma Steward, 22, has already raised £60 with raffles and number card competitions.

Emma said: “I have always wanted to get her into something as I always dress her up for her birthday in lovely handmade tutus.

“She keeps telling me she can’t wait to be a princess.

“I can’t wait until the day to see how beautiful she will look. She’s always posing, so that is good practice.”

The other four categories in the Miss Teen Wigan Beauty competition are Junior Miss Wigan Beauty, Pre-teen Miss Wigan Beauty, Miss Teen Wigan Beauty and Miss Wigan Beauty.

There is also a chance to be crowned Miss Charity, a title for the youngster who raises the most money.

Contestants can win the Miss Popularity award too, which is decided on how many Facebook likes they get on the ‘Miss Teen Wigan Beauty’ page.

Organiser Leonie said: “I don’t have a set amount that I want to be raise, just as long as we have raised something for the hospice.”

n The pageant will begin at 6.30pm and tickets priced £7 can be bought via Leonie at https://m.facebook.com/ missteen.wiganbeauty.