MISS York will jet off to Korea today in a bid to reign supreme in the international final of World Miss University.

Helen Jackson, 19, of Claxton, near York, has been given the opportunity to represent England in the three-week long competition which will climax in a grand final in China.

Helen, who is studying in her second year at Newcastle Law School, will compete against 49 undergraduates from all over the globe.

She said: “I am extremely excited about the competition. To be able to represent my country is a great opportunity and a real honour.”

International organisers of the Miss England pageant spotted Helen when she competed earlier this year and were struck by her “intelligence, high moral repute and physical beauty”.

Helen hopes to dazzle the judges once again in the evening gown she wore at the Miss England finals, designed by York designer, Sarah Ashton of Thimbelina.

The event, now in its 21st year, was launched to coincide with the United Nations Year Of Peace initiative and has grown in stature.

If crowned as winner, Helen will travel the world raising funds for aid agencies that often work in some of the worst war-torn areas of the world. “This is more of a hands-on competition – it is not just about beauty,” she said.

The law student has been working extra hard to cover the three weeks of university she will miss while competing, but says her tutors have been understanding.

Miss York organiser, Vivienne Lee, said: “This is a great accolade for Helen and another example of how entering Miss York can open doors.”

Helen earned her Miss York title in April this year after achieving Sports Girl Of The Year at Bootham School in 2005.

MISS YORK launch

THE search is now on for Miss York 2009.

To try to emulate Helen’s success, you must be aged 17 to 24, live or study in the Y0 postcode area and comply with the full Miss England rules, which can be found on the entry form.

The final will be held in May 2009 at the Royal York Hotel and the successful candidate will then earn a place in the London finale of Miss England in July next year – the only national competition that sends it’s winner to Miss World.

This year’s chosen charity is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, in honour of one of last year’s finalists, Emma Young, who suffered from the condition.

It is hoped the charity will benefit from fundraising efforts which forms a large part of the Miss England heats throughout the country and nationally.

Hopefuls can enter online at www.eventsconnect.co.uk or phone Vivienne Lee on 07904 376629 for an entry form or more information. Good luck!