GORGEOUS Georgia Horsley revealed today how she suffered a breast cancer scare, as she launched her two-day bid to be named Miss England.

The Norton teenager had a lump in one breast removed in Bridlington Hospital about a fortnight before being crowned MS York in May, but only discovered it was benign a few days before the contest.

"I've never had an operation before - then I had to wait to see what the results were," said Georgia, whose family have a history of the disease. Her mother was diagnosed with it ten years ago, and her grandmother died from it.

Georgia, 18, was today competing in Liverpool with 39 other beauties from across the country in her bid to carry off the star prize - to be decided in the final round tomorrow.

She had earned her place in the final after winning the MS York beauty contest.

Earlier this week Georgia faced an 11th-hour setback after the sponsors of her evening dress, Specialist Cars of Malton, pulled out.

But now, following an appeal in the Evening Press for new sponsors to come forward, two companies have stepped into the breach.

The No 1 Health And Beauty salon, at Malton, where Georgia works part-time, has agreed to help sponsor the dress - a full-length red silk number costing nearly £1,000, designed and made by Thimbelina, of Walmgate, York. Owner Diana Thompson said: "She's a really nice girl and we hope that she wins. We thought it all made sense with the fact that it's a beauty competition and we're a beauty salon."

Diana was watching the finals along with two other members of staff.

The White Swan Hotel, in Pickering, has also volunteered its sponsorship.

Marion Buchanan, who owns the hotel with husband Victor, said she was a customer of No 1 Health And Beauty, and had followed Georgia's progress in the competition since she entered and won the MS York finals earlier this year.

"I thought it was fantastic news for the area that someone local should represent us," she said. We wish her the very, very best of luck."

Dressmaker Thimbelina is also sponsoring some of the cost of the dress, which it has been crafting since July using 15 metres of net and eight metres of crimson silk.

Georgia's promoter, Vivienne Lee, said it was "absolutely brilliant" that sponsors had now come forward at such short notice.

Georgia said: "I'm very, very nervous, but I'm going to take it all in my stride. I've only got one chance to do this, so I'm going to make it as good as possible."

Updated: 10:45 Friday, September 02, 2005