THEY say men don't make passes at girls who wear glasses - but most men would make an exception for former Miss Wales finalist Emma Beddis (pictured).

And her spectacles have won her a place in the semi-final of a national modelling competition.

Emma's home town of Cwmbran has proved it has real specs appeal, with no fewer than four spectacles-wearers making it through to next week's Welsh final of the Look of 2003 competition, run by opticians Specsavers.

Local lads 20-year-old Sonal Arora, of Ty-Canol, Anthony Tunley, 21, of Pontnewydd, and Ben Brumby, 21, of St Dials, have also qualified, meaning almost half of the nine Welsh finalists are from one town.

Claire Fleming, reception supervisor at Specsavers in Cwmbran, said: "We do get a lot of young people in who look great with or without specs, and quite a few of them didn't take a lot of persuading, though they did want to come back after they'd done their hair."

The semi-final takes place in Specsavers in Cardiff at noon tomorrow, and Big Brother's Helen Adams, also from Cwmbran, will be among the judges.

The winners will go to the grand final in London in November, and whoever takes the top prize there wins a one-year modelling contract and a fortnight's holiday in the Caribbean.

Ben Brumby is a songwriter and sound engineer working on a drug awareness project.

He said: "My girlfriend thinks it's a bit weird - I've never gone in for anything like this before, so it was odd that I got picked. "I don't expect to win, but it's an experience."

And Emma, who works as a shopfloor assistant for Asda, in Cwmbran, said: "I went in to pick up a new pair of glasses and they took the photo then. I didn't think they'd be interested, so I was very pleased and overwhelmed, really, when I heard I was in the semi-final.

"I only wear glasses occasionally, they're not full-time. Well, whatever happens, happens, but I wouldn't say this is going to bring me too much attention.

"I came second in Miss Wales about two years ago, but I didn't wear my glasses when I was entering that.

"I think I've got as good a chance as any, fingers crossed. I'm pretty confident."