A BEAUTY pageant involving three Nottingham girls has been branded "a complete and utter shambles".

Outraged contestants and members of the audience slated the organisation of the Miss Black Britain final – billed as a star-studded celebration – as a disgrace.

They said the event, where Hollywood actress Nia Long was one of the judges, started 90 minutes late at the Mermaid Theatre in London.

Organisers have claimed the delays were caused by problems accessing the venue due to the Lord Mayor's Show taking place at the same time.

Candice McLeod, 22, of St Ann's, Teean Smith Robinson, 23, of Sherwood, and Adaila Currithers, 20, of Top Valley, were among the 50 finalists bidding for the crown last Saturday.

Student Candice said some girls felt cheated after putting money, time and effort into promoting themselves and the competition.

"I felt quite appalled. I feel bad for my sponsor because I had no sash and their name wasn't seen. I felt like all our efforts were a waste.

"We were there for 11.30am and were told to wait in reception for an hour and a half. There seemed to be no organisation. We didn't know where to go or what we were supposed to do."

Teean, a freelance theatre director, said: "Everyone is saying it was a shambles and it I think it was. I was sponsored by P Spowage Art Gallery and the name was spelt wrongly on my sash."

Adaila, an administrator for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "A lot of people weren't happy. I wouldn't enter next year. I don't think it was organised very well."

A number of comments slating the contest have been posted on an online forum.

One said: "I am highly unimpressed with the way the competition was organised."

One group of people had paid £95 each for VIP tickets, but one said: "We were told we would get a champagne reception, canapes and front row seats.

"We were sitting at the back. No champagne and couldn't even buy ourselves a drink after the interval. What an absolute embarrassment. When I tried to complain, I was told that the organisers was not available to talk to us."

More than 4,000 girls entered the competition this year and were whittled down to 50 finalists after a series of interviews and semi-finals, including a heat at Vienna restaurant in Nottingham.

An email, claiming to be from the organisers of the competition, has been posted on one of the web forums in response to people's angry comments.

It says: "Saturday evening was a very stressful evening for all members of the Miss BB Team.

"Having no access to the venue for everyone due to the Lords Mayor's show impacted the entire event. The artists were unable to get in to complete their sound checks on schedule – this applies to the dancers, the sound engineers, the make-up, hair team, support staff, the live band, the hosts for rehearsals in the day, the list goes on.

"Cars were unable to access the building. Food and drinks could not be delivered and other crucial things that we needed to be delivered. This had huge implications on our months of endless planning and efforts.

"We apologise for the lack of preparation time but this was out of our hands due to issues explained above."

lynette.pinchess@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk