THE new Miss York has spoken of her dream of bringing the Miss England title back to Yorkshire after being crowned queen of the local catwalk.

Ellie Mae Potter beat off ten other hopefuls from across the York area following a nail-biting finale at the city’s Hilton Hotel.

The 18-year-old performing arts student has already tasted success by being cast in the 2010 Kiera Knightley film Never Let Me Go under her stage name Ellie Mae.

She played a schoolgirl in the film about human clones whose organs are harvested for wealthy customers.

She landed the part while studying performing arts and musical theatre at the Ravens Court Theatre School in London.

Born and bred in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, Ellie – who was voted Supreme Champion in the North of England song and dance completion while a school girl – is now living with family near York centre.

She has a passion for singing and hope this will give her the edge in the talent round when she competes in Miss England finals in Torbay between June 14 and 16.

Off-shore rigger’s daughter Ellie, whose mum runs a dance school, added: “I was completely overwhelmed when they announced the winner.

“I could not speak at all. I could not believe and can’t thank everyone enough. I am very excited about the year ahead and will do all I can to bring the Miss England crown to York.”

The runner up was Sammi Dixon from Hull who clinches the Miss Ryedale title and a place in the Miss England semi-finals in Leicester on May 19. She also won best evening dress.

Third place went to Lauren Cole from Filey. Sarah Louise Wilson, from Moss, near Doncaster, got best eco dress prize and Hanna King scooped both Miss Popularity and Miss Charity.

Lauren Liddle, from York, got Miss Celebrity for pulling in the biggest audience share.

Organiser Diane Yalezo said: “The evening could not have gone any better. It was a lovely new venue. Everyone had a fabulous time.

“The girls did brilliantly and we were very pleased with the winner. We hope she will bring the Miss England crown back to York. The judges had a hard task and it was very close.”