A TRAINEE teacher from Oxford is vying to win a place in this year’s Miss England competition.

Amelia Watt is one of the 21 finalists in the Miss Fresh Photographic event, which acts as a quarter-final for the chance to represent the country at Miss World.

The 19-year-old, who is training at Oxford Brookes University to become a primary school teacher, said: “I just thought I would enter and my friends told me I could try, so I had a go over the summer and was selected for a photoshoot.”

A public vote will determine if Miss Watt, who lives in Cowley and has done placements at Watlington Primary School and Watchfield Primary School, is chosen for the title.

If she wins, she will land more than £500 in prizes and a place in the Miss England semi-final in June.

She said: “I’m currently training to be a primary school teacher but if I could do modelling that would be amazing.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I got a photoshoot last Christmas and I used those photos in my application and then everyone who was selected had to pose in jeans and a red top.

“I was quite surprised when I was selected and being involved in Miss England would be amazing.

“The finals will have lots of different rounds with different costumes like ballgowns, and interviews.

“I don’t know exactly what the judges would be looking for, but you’ve just got to be good all round.”

The 5ft 7in student, who is originally from the Bath area, added: “I work promoting student events at Lava Ignite, so it’s been quite good to help spread the word. Everyone is really supportive.”

The current Miss England is 22-year-old Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, a soldier in the Royal Anglian Regiment, who represented her country at Miss World in South Africa last month.

To vote for Miss Watt in the Miss Fresh Photographic competition, text “Amelia Watt” to 84205 or vote from a landline on 0901 6561500. Votes costs 60p plus the standard network charge.

Voting ends on Tuesday, January 5.

To see the other entrants, visit missengland.info/regionals