The 22-year-old stunner from Asfordby was voted Miss England beating 50 other hopefuls to the coveted crown only days after celebrating a 2:1 degree in business and marketing from De Montfort University, Leicester.

But the beauty queen remains modest. She said: "It was such a fantastic experience. All the girls were beautiful and had their own individual qualities and we all got on so well. How they chose a winner is beyond me.

"The evening was amazing, oustanding and I'm overwhelmed. My life's changed in five minutes, it's crazy."

Laura was crowned Miss Leicestershire in 2006, and was fourth in the national competition the same year.

She followed in the footsteps of her family with mum Dena a 1975 Miss England finalist and grandmother Irene Patrick a pinup with a host of prizes.

But this year, after being named Miss Derbyshire, she won the big one.
Laura has now her sights set on winning the international tiara at the Miss World competition in Kiev, Ukraine, in October.

For more info see Thursday's Melton Times