THIS potential Miss York has got a definite interest in world peace - particularly keeping the peace in York and North Yorkshire.

Krystal Talmadge, 18, is on a ten-week fast-track course to become a special constable with North Yorkshire Police.

But as well as impressing the county with her crime-fighting skills, the blue-eyed stunner also hopes to make a name for herself as a beauty queen.

Krystal, who works full-time in the human resources department at York Police Station, is one of 51 women to have entered Miss York 2005.

The event will see women aged between 17 and 24 battle it out at York Racecourse for a chance to crack the Miss England final in Liverpool, before the Miss World Final, in Sanya, China. Krystal said her friends and colleagues had urged her to enter the contest.

"I've never done any modelling before and I couldn't imagine doing it as a career, it's something I'd like to do for enjoyment," she said.

"My friends and family are totally behind me and can't wait to see me in the Press."

She keeps fit by dancing and working out in the gym, and has risen to the challenge of her police training.

"I've wanted to be in the police force for a while now because I like the kind of work they do. It really interests me," she said.

"Because of the long process for becoming a police officer, when the opportunity to be a special came up I applied and thought I'd give it a go to see if I enjoyed it before I took the next step."

Although she has seen some dresses to wear for final, she is trying not to get her hopes up.

She said: "I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I've got my fingers crossed. I should find out whether I'm in the final around April 20.

"I'm going to give it my best shot and have fun. I would be very shocked to win but it would be absolutely brilliant."

Event organiser Vivienne Lee, a former Miss North Tyneside and Miss Sheffield, said she had been very impressed with the standard of entries.

"We've had lots of people entering with very varied career backgrounds, from dental nurses to a restaurant manageress. They're all very pretty girls and judging will be difficult."

For more details on the competition, log on to www.missengland.info. To enter, log on to www.eventsconnect.co.uk.

Updated: 10:08 Thursday, March 31, 2005