The castings were held yesterday to select the young men and women who will strut their stuff in this year's annual Gazette Fashion Show.

More than 50 would-be models turned out, and the judges agreed the quality was second to none. Judges, Tyne Tees Models company director Lesley Lister, Fashion Show director Peter Darrant, Gazette editor John Szymanski and fashion show consultant Ricky Watson, chose more than 20 finalists.

Our panel were looking for a team of first-class models to take to the runway in Fashion High-fliers on July 25 and 26.

But due to the fantastic turnout, judges have picked our largest team yet.

Gazette editor John Szymanski said: "It was an excellent turn-out for the castings and I would like to thank everyone who made the effort on a cold and wet Sunday morning.

"The judges had an extremely difficult task to select the finalists as the calibre of candidates was so high."

"Congratulations to those who made it – and commiserations to those who didn't – and now we look forward to, what I hope, will be our best charity fashion show yet."

Peter Darrant said: "We definitely had quality over quantity this year. We could have picked our Search for a Catwalk Star winners out of a hat and we would have been happy.

"The talent this year was the best we'd had, and I'd say to everyone who doesn't make it through, try again next year."

Tyne Tees Models is sponsoring our Search For A Catwalk Star while scouring our stage for the Face of 2008.

The best model over the two nights will be selected as Face of 2008 – landing themselves a modelling prize.

Lesley said: "The talent gets better and better, more competitive, with some really lovely girls and boys turning up. I have already got my eye on several contenders for the Face of 2008."