FORMER Miss York Helen Lawal will hand over her crown to a new beauty queen this weekend, but she will soon leave the city for a new role in medicine.

Helen, 24, recently completed her medical degree at Hull York Medical School, and is moving to Leeds to be a doctor.

“Becoming a doctor has been my dream since I was a young child.

“Back home in Nigeria I used to follow my dad around his hospital, and really want to help the patients get back to good health,” said Helen, originally from Pickering.

Helen will spend two years training in Leeds.

“She said leaving York would bring mixed emotions.

“I’ll be there to hand over my crown, and I’ll be happy to see someone else be given the same opportunities I had,” she said.

“I’m ambassador for Friends Of The Disabled, and I’ll be raising funds to help people around the world learn trades and become self-sufficient.

“Looking back, it has been a very exciting five years. York is definitely one of the best cities to live in as a student, I’m going to leave with so many fond memories.”