These are the nine finalists of a model competition that saw hundreds of people from the Great Yarmouth area enter and show off their best smiles and personality.

Eastern Daily Press: Pepper Rise Self, age 4. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentrePepper Rise Self, age 4. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

The finalists in the Market Gates Shopping Centre Modelsearch competition have been announced.

More 250 people entered the competition and after two scouting sessions 66 entrants were then invited to the shopping centre on Wednesday, June 7 to attend castings with a panel of judges made up of Dee Greenwood, deputy centre manager of the Market Gates Shopping Centre, Michael Knowles and William Brown of Modelsearch and Anthony Carroll, chief reporter at the Great Yarmouth Mercury and EDP Yarmouth office.

Eastern Daily Press: Sophia Rilon, age 9. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreSophia Rilon, age 9. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

The winners were chosen from the age categories of four-six, seven-10, 11-15 and 16 years and over.

They were Pepper Rose Self, four; Olly Wright, four; Sophia Rilon, nine; Danny Gooda, seven; Evie-Louise Buckoke, 14; Joshua Punter, 14; Freya Windsor, 16; Sonya Cassidy, 36 and Daniel Dobson, 28.

Eastern Daily Press: Danny Gooda, age 7. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreDanny Gooda, age 7. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

All of the finalists will be returning to the centre to attend a professional photo shoot in the autumn.

They will each receive a portfolio of photos and be featured in advertising campaigns, website and Facebook page for the Market Gates Shopping Centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Evie-Louise Buckoke, age 14. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreEvie-Louise Buckoke, age 14. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

One overall winner will be chosen after that fashion shoot to attend a London studio shoot in 2018 where they will be styled and photographed by top industry professionals.

Mrs Greenwood said: 'We would like thank everyone who came down to the centre to take part in our Modelsearch competition.

Eastern Daily Press: Joshua Punter, age 14. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreJoshua Punter, age 14. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

'At the castings, we were truly spoilt for choice but it was not just the great looks that impressed us, without exception, every model in every age category was charming, polite and had so many extra talents, skills and interests.

'It was a real privilege to meet so many delightful people and we are so sorry we could not choose everyone.'

Eastern Daily Press: Freya Windsor, age 16. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreFreya Windsor, age 16. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

Mr Carroll said: 'I was very impressed by all the entrants in the castings session I judged and it was a hard decision to choose the winners.

'Well done to everyone who took part in the castings.

Eastern Daily Press: Daniel Dobson, age 28. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreDaniel Dobson, age 28. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)

'I look forward to seeing the advertising campaigns for the centre and the results of the final photoshoot.'

Eastern Daily Press: Sonya Cassidy, age 36. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping CentreSonya Cassidy, age 36. Picture: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre (Image: courtesy of Market Gates Shopping Centre)