A FIVE-YEAR-OLD would-be pop princess had her first taste of the limelight when she took part in a beauty contest.

Kate Banks, came third in the four to seven age group at the Miss Millennium North of England competition held in Liverpool on Sunday.

The American-style beauty pageant, which saw girls aged between four and 18 strut their stuff in front of a panel of judges, was filmed for a Channel 4 documentary to be shown next year.

Kate's parents, Kevin and Tracey Banks were impressed by her success, especially since it was her first time on the catwalk.

Dad Kevin, landlord of the Sweet Green Tavern in Crook Street, Bolton, said: "We were approached by a model agency a few months ago, who suggested that she enter, so we asked her and she was very excited about it.

"She has so much confidence and loves performing and says she wants to be a pop star when she grows up!"

When Kate was asked by judges what she would spend £1 million on she answered "a big teddy".