TONIGHT'S the night for two Hampshire hunks who are battling it out for the title of Mr England.

Mr Southampton James Barton and Mr ModelUK Alex Wilcox are in Leicester for the competition to find a man to represent the country for 2007. The handsome pair inspired the Daily Echo to launch its own search for Hampshire's hottest hunk (see panel left).

James, 22, a 6ft 5in mortgage underwriter who picked up the Mr Southampton 2007 crown earlier this year is hoping to continue the success of last year's Mr Southampton, Warren Harvey who impressed the judges to win the national crown.

"I will do my best to make Southampton proud and hopefully bring the title back," he said.

Alex, 21, a former Woolston School pupil from Butts Road in Sholing, said he also wants to bring back the top prize for the city he grew up in.

"I want everyone in Southampton to back me and vote for me because I am the only true Mr Southampton, I was born and bred here and I want to win this for Southampton."

The event is part of a three-day ceremony for the Miss England competition and the country's beauty queen for 2007 will be announced tomorrow night.