BEAUTY queens ditched the tiaras and sashes in order to sample disability sport that they can guarantee is harder than it looks.

The pageant champions joined Bolton Bulls wheelchair basketball team for a training session to fulfil the latest themed challenges set by the Miss England organisers — namely this month to promote the Paralympics.

Bethany Dove, the current Miss Bolton and Bury, arranged for herself and other winners to meet players and have a taster coaching session at the club's home at Smithills Sports Centre in Smithills Dean Road, Smithills.

The 20-year-old former St Joseph's RC High School And Sports College, Horwich, pupil visited with other 'Team North West' members Junior Miss North West Alex Moran, aged 16, Miss North West Christina Cunningham, aged 24, Miss Lancashire Lucy Physick, aged 23, Junior Miss Bolton and Bury Paige Holden, aged 14, and Elizabeth Grant, the current Miss Preston and Miss England, aged 20.

All were given a wheelchair and taught movement, dribbling and shooting skills on Thursday evening before having a quick match against their hosts.

Bethany said: "It's more complicated than we expected. It's not easy.

"I think everyone's getting a bit better though.

"I do Irish dancing, which is just with your legs, so not being able to use my legs is a bit weird.

"The best way to learn about it is to try it. I 100 per cent appreciate what the players do."

Kearsley resident Christina, a former goalkeeper for Bolton Wanderers Ladies, enjoyed her first taste of wheelchair basketball and found it "hard work".

She said: "Today is about trying to use our position to promote to young people about getting involved in inclusive sport.

"We try to demonstrate it's more than make-up and tiaras and about breaking down the barriers that exist."

Bolton Bulls have been running for 33 years and compete in the mixed Third Division North league.

They were practising with the beauty queens ahead of today's season opener away to Aberystwyth-based West Coast Warriors.