Father Antonio Rungi, from southern Italy, says he wants to shake of the dowdy image of nuns as "old and sad" looking. Now contestants are being invited to send their pictures to Father Antonio's website where next month people can judge for themselves who the number one nun is.

"Do you think that all nuns are old and sad? It is not like that any more," said Father Antonio in an advert in an Italian newspaper. The priest is expecting up to 1,000 entrants and claims the contest was suggested by nuns fed-up with their plain stereotype.

"Some of the nuns that have arrived from abroad are really beautiful. There are very beautiful nuns from Africa and Latin America. Especially those from Brazil," explained Father Antonio. Now the padre is hoping the event will become a habit and is already planning next year's show live in his parish church in Mondragone.

I know plenty of people who are the product of the Catholic education system and still flinch when they hear a rosary because they think there is a nun with a cane approachiing!

Despite their best efforts the swimwear round was a disappointment.

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