BROMSGROVE beauty Laura Beth Morgan is celebrating after being crowned Miss Worcestershire 2016.
The result was revealed during a glitzy and glamorous night and a crowd of 200 people at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium last night.
Speaking To The Standard this morning, Laura, who lives in Belbroughton, said: “It was completely overwhelming – I couldn’t speak when I found out and when I woke up this morning I thought it was a dream.
“I spent a few minutes putting the crown on and looking in the mirror so it would sink in – I couldn’t believe I was the new Miss Worcestershire.
“When I looked at the pictures the next morning, I kept asking if that really was me up there.”
“I spent a few minutes putting the crown on and looking in the mirror so it would sink in – I couldn’t believe I was the new Miss Worcestershire.
“When I looked at the pictures the next morning, I kept asking if that really was me up there.”
Laura fought off 22 other women in the final and more than 350 applicants overall.
“Everyone in the final was fantastic and there was a great camaraderie between us all, we all got along really well and supported each other through the tasks,” added Laura.
Judges on the evening included Miss Worcestershire 2014/15 Chloe Palmer, Mr Worcestershire Dan Evans, DJ Liam Cash from Youthcomm Radio and the current Miss England Natasha Hemmings who recently returned from her Miss World journey.
Miss England regional director Rachael Barker said “All the girls did incredibly well, each and every one of them was so inspirational and should be so proud of all they have achieved.
“They are a credit to the county and I know they will all go on to do amazing things over the next year.”
On Saturday (January 9), Laura finished bottom of the group in the sports woman round which was held at David Lloyd fitness centre and challenged the participants to lift weights, undertake lunges and burpees and complete a gruelling bleep test.
She said: “I was definitely the worst one at all that – I wasn’t too good at sport at school and was always the last to be picked at netball even though I did always try my best.
“I was aching the day after and was worried I would not be able to make it down the catwalk.”
Contestants on Sunday night had several catwalk performances to undertake.
Despite her performance in the sport round, she scored highly in many of the other rounds and won two sections – the fund-raising category, which saw her collect more than £1,500 for Miss England charity Beauty With A Purpose, and the eco wear round.
For the eco wear category, because the final was just days after twelfth night, Laura had designed a dress made from 150 recycled Christmas cards and 80 gift tags which wowed the judges.
She said: “By using Christmas cards I was also able to take many of my family and friends down the catwalk with me.”
Laura entered the competition in a bid to help change the perception on beauty pageants and it has always been her ethos that: ‘confidence is beautiful, no matter what your size, no matter your weight, be confident in who you are and you will be beautiful’.
She said also wanted to highlight important issues affecting Worcestershire residents and raise as much money as she could for charity.
Following her victory, she has vowed to attend as many events and help with as many campaigns across the county whilst she prepares for the Miss England Finals in August.
Anyone wanting to contact the new Miss Worcestershire to help with a campaign or event, can e-mail Laura at [email protected]
Visit www.facebook.com/missworcestershire2016 and visit www.missenglandwm.com for more information on Miss Worcestershire and Miss England.
