A Brighton beauty contest with a difference has attracted the attention of the film company responsible for reality TV show Big Brother.

The crowning of Miss Transgender 2004 promises to be a glitzy affair, with invitations sent to the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Sir Paul McCartney, DJ Fatboy Slim and Katie Price, aka Jordan.

TV company Endemol has also expressed an interest in filming on the night for a Channel 4 programme.

The event is organised by transsexual businesswoman Sue Sheppard, who runs Lacies, a shop in Portland Road, Hove, which sells clothes, shoes, wigs and sex aids for the transgender community.

Sue, 43, who has already signed up city mayor Pat Drake to attend, has also set up a web site to promote the event which she says had 1,500 hits within days of being launched.

The event, in the Rock Bar at the Portland pub on July 27, will raise money for The Martlets hospice in Hove.

Contestants can be men or women who consider themselves to be transgender either because they are transsexual or transvestites preferring to dress as the opposite sex.

For political correctness, there is also a competition to crown Mr TG Brighton, which is open to female and male cross-dressers, drag kings or female-to-male transsexuals.

Sue said: "I started things moving in May and at first it was a lot of hard work but now it has really taken off and there is a lot of interest.

"Endemol has been in touch saying it wants to come and film on the night for a Channel 4 programme.

"We have got six top models from Imageworks in London coming down to model corsets by Brighton-based bespoke designer Chrissie Nicolson.

"It is putting up a prize of a £650 makeover for the winner and lots of businesses are contributing prizes.

"Axfords, another Brighton corset designer, is sponsoring a contest for the best corset wearer, male or female.

"Body Shop at Home will have a table selling its products and there will be a number of other stalls on the night."

Reaction to Sue's shop has changed since it faced opposition from local people and businesses when it opened two years ago. The former Avon lady and travel clerk for Saga holidays is now an accepted part of Hove's multi-cultural community.

All the money raised by the Miss TG night will be given to The Martlets, which cares for people with terminal illness. Robert Griffiths, fund-raising manager, said: "As a hospice we are accessible to all sections of the community. We are always very pleased when any part of the community chooses to raise funds for us. A team from The Martlets will be going along to join in the fun on the night."

John Sturgeon, landlord of The Portland, said: "It is not the usual type of event we put on because we are a venue for rock bands. We have always supported The Martlets and when Sue told us the event would raise money for the hospice we were happy to have it here. It will certainly be different."

Councillor Drake said she was happy to attend Miss Transgender Brighton 2004.

She said: "In my role as mayor I embrace the whole of the community of Brighton and Hove and welcome all aspects of our multi-cultural residents.

"I happily attend events which celebrate the vibrant people of our city."

For further information, or to book tickets at £15 each phone 01273 710656 or book on-line at www.misstg.co.uk