POP star and ice queen, Jessica Taylor, is eyeing up budding models in the Borders as she launches Specsavers" nationwide search for the Spectacle Wearer of the Year 2009.

The former Liberty X singer, who is currently on a UK-wide tour with Dancing on Ice and busy setting up new pop duo, DangerMinx, with former band mate Kelli Young, is helping the UK"s largest optical retailer find ordinary people who look extraordinary in their glasses.

The 28-year-old, 5ft 8in specs kitten, married to England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, started wearing glasses when she was 19. She says her hubby is bowled over when he sees her in her glasses.

Jessica said: 'I had absolutely no concerns about starting to wear glasses - I haven"t even tried contact lenses because I love wearing my specs so much. Kevin thinks I look really sexy when I wear them and I have a pair to match practically every outfit.' As well as fronting the campaign, Jessica is supporting anti-bullying charity, Kidscape. Specsavers will donate £1 for every eligible competition entry to the charity as well as all proceeds from a high profile auction led by Specsavers ambassador, Gok Wan, which will take place at the competition final in London in October.

Jessica added: 'I think it"s a real shame that some kids are still bullied for wearing glasses, it"s such an out of touch reaction. Specs are cool and with so many funky designs available nowadays, there"s no reason not to look good in them.

'Celebrities have played a very important part in upping specs in the fashion stakes, with high profile people like Cheryl Cole, David Tennant, Gok Wan, Alexa Chung and Fearne Cotton being pictured looking great in their glasses. I"m delighted to be supporting Kidscape and Specsavers to spread the word that glasses are a cool fashion accessory as well as an optical necessity.' Every year, Specsavers scours the UK to find girls and boys next door who look amazing in their specs. The competition is open to men and women aged 16 and over who are current specs wearers or wear glasses for fashion.

Stuart Forrester, store director at Specsavers in Galashiels, said: 'We see so many people in the store who look absolutely amazing in their glasses. The Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition gives us the opportunity to shout about the talent right on our doorstep who wear their specs loud and proud - and who are great role models for younger specs wearers to aspire to.' One local specs wearer could follow in the footsteps of Marissa Keltie from Edinburgh who represented Scotland in last year"s glitzy grand final in London.

Regional finalists will be announced in July and the grand final will be held in London in October.

The winner will scoop a year"s modelling contract with Premier Model Management, an all-inclusive holiday for two to Barbados courtesy of Almond Resorts and Kuoni, including £250 spending money, a fabulous goody bag from Matrix and Barry M Cosmetics, £150 Specsavers designer eyecare voucher and the coveted Spectacle Wearer of the Year trophy.

Entries can be made by visiting any Specsavers store or by logging on to www.specsavers.co.uk/competition. The closing date for entries is Tuesday, June 30.