Out to win

The 25-year-old, from Lytham, is through to the finals of this year’s Miss Lancashire competition and has her sights set on the crown.

Last year, she reached the finals of the Miss Fylde Coast contest and scooped the title of Miss Publicity.

In this competition, she hopes to go further and take the top title.

The winner of the Miss Lancashire contest will go straight through to the Miss England finals.

Emily, a former St Bede’s High School pupil and University of Central Lancashire graduate, said: “I had a mixed reaction about entering the competition last year.

“I’m back to prove that is it a competition worth entering.

“Girls leave the finals as better people, more confident and more creative than when they entered.

“I also want to keep proving that plus size women can do whatever they put their minds to.”

Emily, who works for digital media company Huddle Media, decided to enter the Miss Fylde Coast contest last year after feeling her hobbies had gone by the wayside after university.

She wanted to set herself a new challenge, so signed up to take part.

The Miss Lancashire final will take place on November 3, at The Playhouse Theatre, Preston.

There will be rehearsals throughout the day, followed by the catwalk show and announcement of the winner.

There are four rounds in which the contestants will attempt to impress the judges: Sports wear, party wear, evening wear and an eco-wear round in which the competitors wear an eco-outfit they have created.

All contestants will carry out fundraising in aid of Variety the Children’s Charity – the competition’s chosen charity.

There are several other titles up for grabs, including Miss Charity Lancashire, Miss Popularity Lancashire, Miss Publicity and Miss Eco.

Emily said: “I have always been quite confident. You shouldn’t worry what other people think of you.

“You can do whatever you put your mind to – whatever size you are.”

One of the categories in this year’s Miss Lancashire final will be dedicated to Skye Mitchell, from Cumbria, a former Miss Junior North West, who lost her life in a car accident in July.

The 18-year-old died with her friend Caitlin Huddleston when the car they were travelling in was in collision with a van, in Cumbria.

Emily said: “It is all about getting involved with the community and helping different charities.

“To work towards this, I will be volunteering, working with the Bellingham Care Home in Lytham and I am also hoping to get local primary schools involved.

“We will also be raising money for Variety the Children’s charity throughout the competition too, which is a really good cause.”

To support Emily with her fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/EmilyEccles