YORK hairdresser Camilla Garnham is preparing to take part in a Miss England contest tomorrow after recently being named Miss York 2017.

Camilla, 21, of Bishopthorpe, who works at Haze Hair in Holgate Road, has a place in the Miss England semi-finals, which are being held at Kelham Hall in Nottinghamshire.

She said she was 'over the moon' to reach the contest, at which about 72 girls would be vying for a place in the final “It would be great if York could get behind me and help a local girl get a place in the finals,” she said.

She appealed for people to send a text message to support her, saying: “My family and friends have also been a big help but I still need as much help and support as possible by voting for me. The winner of the public vote gets a definite spot in the final next month.”

Camilla said she had become the next Miss York 2017 and also Miss Popularity Yorkshire 2017 at the Yorkshire Beauty Awards Final, held last month at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

“I have gained this title by my charity work, raising money for ‘Beauty With A Purpose’, helping disadvantaged children worldwide by holding cake sales, selling sweetie bags and various raffles at Haze Hair.” She said she had held a charity bake sale and also a sweepstake there, with ‘amazing’ support from the owner, Holly Barritt.

She told how she competed in Leeds in an eco-round, in which she had to make her own outfit out of recycled products, things from charity shops or borrowed from family/friends, along the theme of a day at the races.

“I made my outfit by borrowing a simple dress, purchasing a piece of curtain from a local charity shop and sewing it onto an old belt and using it as an overskirt.” There was also a talent round, for which everyone submitted a video, with hers involving hair dressing skills, and also an evening wear round.

Camilla said that to support her, people should text MISS SEMIFINAL05 to 63333, all in capital letters and with a space between ‘MISS’ and ‘SEMIFINAL05’; there is a 50p standard charge. “The public vote ends tomorrow at noon,” she added.