Male models stop traffic on Strand

About 30 hopeful male models put their good looks and smooth walks to the test last night.

The Strand was blocked off to traffic as the Tauranga Young Male Model Awards took place atop a makeshift catwalk in the middle of the road, surrounded by an enthusiastic audience from 6pm.

Nineteen-year-old Sam Marmion placed first in the competition, winning $1000 worth of clothes and a modelling contract with Monarch Models.

Sam's brother Michael Marmion came third while 16-year-old Dylan Prole placed second.

The competition was the first of its kind to be held in Tauranga and there are hopes after last night's success that it won't be the last.

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Photo: Mark McKeown/Musae Studios

Creative Tauranga's Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell said the calibre of the models was "very impressive".

Creative Tauranga was involved in the set up of the competition, which involved representatives of modelling agency Monarch Models to travel from Auckland to scout Tauranga's talents in the show.

"It was absolutely fantastic. The clothing was amazing and the models, the young men of Tauranga, I think we can be pretty proud to see who was up on that stage," Ms Rudduck-Gudsell said.

Entry was open to men 15-25 years old who were schooled or currently lived in Tauranga.

They were "made up" at The Salon before hitting the catwalk.