Former winner steps in to save Miss York beauty contest (From York Press)

Former winner Naomi Smith steps in to save Miss York beauty contest

8:03am Thursday 25th November 2010 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

NEXT year’s Miss York contest has been saved after a former winner of the award stepped forward to run the competition.

Naomi Smith, who became Miss York in 2007 and went on to become runner-up in the Miss England contest, agreed to take on the task after reading an appeal in The Press for help.

Miss England organiser Angie Beasley, who ran the York event this year following the sudden death last December of former organiser Vivienne Lee, said she could not do the same next year.

She said a local company or individual was needed to take over the competition if it was to continue; otherwise, a photographic contest would have to be staged instead of the traditional live competition.

Naomi, 22, said: “I couldn’t bear to see it cease to be. It has become such a big thing for York and the girls of York, and did such a lot for me.

“It gave me much more confidence. I was quite shy before, but winning the contest got me used to speaking to people.

“It also raises a lot of money for charity. In my year, I helped raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.”

She said she went on to work in the TV studios at Birmingham University and now worked in marketing for a York-based environmental heating, refrigeration and air conditioning company, Climatize UK, which would be sponsoring the eco-round of the Miss York contest.

Naomi, who lives in the Heworth area, said next year’s contest would probably take place towards the end of May, either at the Royal York Hotel or York Racecourse.

She said she was also planning a launch event, which might take place between Christmas and New Year.

She said she was looking for sponsors for the event, and anyone wanting information over sponsorship opportunities should phone her on either 07984354313 or email info@missyork.co.uk