Leggy Leslie plans to reign on gay parade

That's the message from this long-legged lassie who will be strutting her stuff at this weekend's Alternative Miss Ireland Contest.

Leslie B Ann will represent Limerick at the alternative beauty pageant, which takes place in The Olympia Theatre next Sunday night.

The six-foot something stunner was crowned Alternative Miss Limerick last November and has been perfecting her pout for the national final.

"All I can say is 'watch out, the bitch is about'," said Limerick-born Lesley "I'm not nervous. I was thrilled to be crowned Alternative Miss Limerick and even though I didn't get a Mercedes I got a free bus pass for the year," she said.

Keeping her true identity a mystery, Lesley says she's 38 but feels 21. Now in it's ninth year, the Alternative Miss Ireland pageant has become one of the most popular gay events since its dramatic arrival on the alternative social scene

Regularly toasted as "the most significantly post-culturally-kinky event of the year", the alternative beauty pageant is committed to raising funds for HIV and Aids sufferers.

In the past four years more than €100,000 has been raised for Cairde a support group for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

This year, proceeds will also be donated to Open Heart House a project that seeks to enhance the lives of those living with the illness.

The contest has been judged by a number of high profile celebs including Marc Almond, Van Morrison, Louis Walsh, Brendan Courtney and Maria Doyle Kennedy.

Doors open on Sunday night at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.