Toddlers parade in bikinis at British beauty pageant

Skimpy ... Tia Wilkinson poses in swimwear at the Glitz Sparkle pageant

MORE than 40 children have taken part in a controversial beauty pageant - where kids as young as 20 months were entered into SWIMWEAR rounds.

Girls dolled up in make-up, spray tan and hair extensions descended on The Pride of Lincoln Hotel for the Miss Glitz Sparkle 2012 competition yesterday.
Children under the age of three were paraded in front of adults during the event - which included a round that even saw toddlers take to the stage in bikinis.

Victory ... winner Tia Wilkinson, three, from Burnley is crowned at the Glitz Sparkle 2012 competition

Other sections of the competition included a beauty round, a talent round and a Hollywood Star round - where kids were encouraged to dress up as movie stars.
Inspired by similar pageants in America, organisers billed the event as the “biggest and best” of its kind in the UK but child welfare charities have criticised it for encouraging the “over-sexualisation” of young girls.
Claude Knights, director of Kidscape, said: “It is a disturbing trend, these children seem to be getting younger and younger.

Too much, too young? ... Dyamond Donovan, four, takes to the catwalk

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“It’s impossible for these kids to be giving their consent to wearing swimwear and pseudo-evening dresses as well as fake eyelashes and spray tans.
“The over-sexualisation of these young girls really is worrying."
One of the youngest competitors at the glitzy event was 20-month-old Holly Young - who has competed in pageants since she was just six months old.
Proud mum Christine Greenhouse, 28, a dance teacher from Sunderland, said: “A few people had told me to enter Holly in competitions because she is pretty and has always been confident.

Competitive ... girls pose in fake tan, sequins and make-up in their bid for glory

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“I wasn’t sure at first but I entered her in an online competition and she won it. I did a few more and she kept winning so we went to a live pageant.
“She won that too and has done five since then and won something every time.
“She’s got eye shadow on today because the other girls had it on and she wanted it.
“At home I have to hide my lipstick because she always wants to put it on.

So young ... Chloe Graves, seven months, is held up by her mum during the pageant

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“She actually thinks she is a princess because she has that many crowns at home.”
The pageant also included experienced competitors like three-year-old Tia Wilkinson - who was entering her 14th event in the last 18 months.
Mum Becky, 29, from Burnley, Lancs, said: “At the start she got a lot of second and third places, but towards the end of last year she started to understand what it was about and picked up some titles.
“She obviously didn’t choose to do it at 18 months but she enjoys it.

Double the fun? ... twins Stella and Starr Moss pose with mum Roxy

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“If you think it’s something you would be interested in as a child then you do it with them.
“She does have a bikini, she has a little two-piece. It’s not skimpy and strappy but there are ruffles on it.
“She wears a bikini if she goes to the swimming pool and you don’t know who is there so it’s just the same as that.”
The event even encouraged girls from across the pond to take part - with nine-year-old American champion Ayana Buxton competing.

Incongruous ... although 'glamorous' in shades and a swimsuit, this girl carries her favourite teddy

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Ayana, who had previously won Miss Photogenic at the Dream Girls USA pageant, is believed to be the first American child to enter a UK pageant.
Her gran Jeanna Buxton, 54, from Oregon, said: “Ayana only started competing this year but she has done really well. She wants to do it and we are supporting her.
“If she wants to do it then it’s a good experience. It’s good for their confidence and you want them to be confident.
“People criticise the swimwear round but it’s age appropriate.”

Accessories ... even this toddler's dummy is covered is diamante

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Speaking after the event, pageant organiser Leanne Woodall, 32, said the day was a success.
She said: “I’ve got no negative feedback. It’s been described as the biggest and best pageant in the UK.
“I can understand why people are sceptical about swimwear when they see the American pageants but it’s just a dressing-up costume to the kids.
“And everyone in the event had a wristband so we knew exactly who was there. It’s safer than the local park.
“Until you’ve been to one, you have no idea how much the kids love it.”

Frills ... a competitor wears skimpy underwear and eye shadow during a heat