A STUDENT who entered a "beauty contest" by accident could be set to represent Britain in the male equivalent of Miss World.

All Mark Eteson needs is the people of Swindon to spend 10p to ensure he beats off the competition.

Mark, 20, went along to the auditions for Manhunt UK at Swindon's Designer Outlet Village to provide moral support for his friend Damien Wierzbicki, 19.

He only decided to enter after one of the photographers suggested he have a try.

Mark, from Upper Stratton, couldn't believe it when the organisers telephoned him the next day to say that out of 600 entrants he was one of five UK finalists.

He said: "I'd never really contemplated being a model I didn't think I had the credentials to do it."

The Manhunt competition is now in its ninth year and is expected to attract more than 10,000 entrants from 40 countries.

After coming first in the regional heat at Swindon, Mark was invited to a London photo-shoot with the other four finalists.

They all featured across two pages of a national newspaper and a telephone poll will now decide the national winner.

If Mark comes first he will represent the UK in Beijing, at the international final.

The top prize is $100,000 and a modelling contract.

Although Mark has just started a law degree at the University of Essex, in Colchester, he said his main ambition is to be a dance music DJ.

But after his success in Manhunt he said he would be equally happy to plump for a career in modelling.

He said: "I would love it it would be a dream job to have. I'd like to travel and you would meet lots of beautiful women.

"I've been telling everyone to vote for me and just hope I get through to the final now. I'd love to go to China."

The other finalists are Istavan Bliss, 21, from London; Yasir Nassem, 19, from Oxford; Markus Busby, 22, from Buckingham and Rhodri Jenkins, 20, from Swansea.

www.minarik.co.uk/manhunt