Kirkby beauty’sMiss England dream

Alex Ross, of Shelford Avenue, wowed the judges with her personality, charity work and sporting ability to be crowned Miss Forest /Fens - a linked title combining the two counties of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Alex, who works at the Horse and Groom pub in Hucknall, said she couldn’t believe she had won from the 100 applicants and 13 finalists.

“I had to double check that they called my number. It was really amazing and I was just amazed I had won. I was speechless and almost in tears. It’s the first time I have ever won anything,” she said.

The 24-year-old now has her sights set on becoming miss England later this year.

“I think I have a good chance. I have got to beleive in myself otherwise who else will.”

She will battle it out in September in the finals of the competition.

She was inspired to enter the competitions after the encouragement from her sister and great-grandmother Linda, who sadly died last year.

The dancer and singer - who worked on cruise ships around the world - said it would be phenomenal to win the competition.

Alex, a former pupil of Hucknall National School, said she came home after several years away because she missed the area and all of her friends and family here.