Jessica Hursit
A teaching assistant hopes to represent the country in a worldwide beauty pageant.
Jessica Hursit, 20, is a finalist in the Miss Universe Essex heat, in which the winner will qualify for the Miss Universe GB finals.
The 5ft 9in beauty was among more than 5,000 applicants who were whittled down to six in the Essex heat, which will be judged on February 21.
Jessica, who works at Lyons Hall Primary School in Braintree, said: "I just thought it would be something really fun to go for and you get to raise money for a good cause."
She is supporting The Strong Bone Children's Charitable Trust, one of the event's chosen charities.
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