Working with children or animals is never easy and it is a pretty tough challenge to bring about world peace.

However, if there is one thing that is almost impossible if you are a Miss World candidate, it is finding a hairstyle you are happy with.

At least a billion people are expected to tune into this year's Miss World contest, which will feature women from 113 countries.

It is up to the chief hairstylist to send out more than 100 perfect hairdos which will not even quiver when the winner's name is called out.

This year, that god of good locks will be Willie Hendry, celebrity stylist and co-owner of Brighton salon Ash.

Willie has styled the hair of stars from Victoria Beckham to Lionel Richie, George Michael and Liv Tyler.

Dealing with the inflated egos and over-treated hair of the paparazzi pack is a challenge in itself.

Willie, 28, says he expects the Miss World contest to be the most difficult thing he has ever done.

This year's Miss World has been mired in controversy, with contestants dropping out in protest at human rights issues in the host nation.

Miss Nigeria, Agbani Dorego, was crowned Miss World in 2001, making Nigeria the host for the 2002 contest this December.

The African nation is already at the centre of a storm of protest after a Sharia court sentenced Amina Lawal to death by stoning after having a baby out of wedlock.

Now at least nine countries are threatening to pull out unless Amina is given a reprieve.

It is not the first time the contest has been entangled in politics since it was launched by Eric Morley in 1951. Back in 1970, Miss World was disrupted by a cabal of feminists armed with smoke bombs and flour.

Willie is aware he is treading an ethical minefield by accepting the role of chief stylist but he says Miss World is just a piece of fun.

He said: "I can't understand why people think it's sexist. These women are representing their country. It's not like the Seventies, when they were all dolled up in fur coats and after a rich husband. Lots of them are students.

"To be honest, I think the women who moan about Miss World are often fat and ugly. You never see a pretty woman saying it's degrading.

"We used to take these things more seriously but now I think we all see it as cheesy, kitsch and just a bit of fun. It's almost as camp as the Eurovision Song Contest."

Willie will be overseeing a team of 20 stylists.

His friend and colleague, Douglas Hobbs, will be in charge of another team. Together they will assess the hairstyle of each woman before she is allowed out on to the stage.

"There will be a lot of 'hair-ups' for the evening dress round to show off the girls' necks and shoulders.

"I won't be trying to match the hair to the country, though. There will be no big afros for the African countries and Heidi plaits for the Scandinavians. That would just be too cheesy."

Willie has flown out to Nigeria to prepare for the big day. He will be meeting many of the contestants in advance so he can get to know them and their hairdressing needs.

"It's going to be brilliant. It brings the world together a bit and that has to be a good thing.

"Plus it's the closest I'll ever get to being Mr Universe!"