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Child beauty pageants are hugely popular in the United States, and the phenomenon seems to be spreading to Europe.

The United Kingdom staged its first Miss Mini competition earlier this year.

Children as young as four take part in the contests, which involve them getting dressed up as beauty queens and parading down a catwalk.

But surrounding these competitions is an ongoing debate about whether this is child exploitation, or simply a way for girls to develop their personality and have fun.

Outlook's Alfonso Daniels was given rare access to a North Carolina state competition, held in the rural town of Hickory. It is one of the most important child beauty events in the US.

He met relatives and contestants at the competition, and began by venturing backstage to one of the crowded rooms where mothers were putting the final touches to their daughters - among them Melissa Shuford and her 11 year old daughter Emily.