ESSEX’S contender for the Miss Universe title has been chosen at an event in Rayleigh.

Victoria Winterford, 22, from Hornchurch, will go forward to the Miss Universe Great Britain finals in Cardiff, in June. The event was held at the Rayleigh Club, with entertainment from Essex performer Taylor West, who hopes to appear in the next X Factor. Victoria has already started her Miss Universe Great Britain campaign and will be working with children’s charity StrongBones in the lead-up to the final.

She said: “Winning the title, Miss Universe Essex 2015 is a massive honour to me and I hope to take my crown all the way through the Great British finals later this year.

“I am looking forward to all the exciting opportunities this entails along with supporting the amazing charity, StrongBones.”

Ria Carroll, 26, from Billericay, was second and Jessica Hursit, 20, from Cressing, near Witham, was third.

The ceremonywas hosted by Conor Michael Murray, who recently appeared on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, with Rex Newmark, who has been featured in TV’s Big Brother, also in the audience. Victoria is now being sponsored in her quest to become Miss Universe Great Britain by Rayleigh business couple Michael and Sarah Baah.

Mr Baah, who runs Beauty Baah Boutique in Berry’s Arcade, Rayleigh, said: “The whole event was a great success and the main organisers in NewYork are even using our event as an example to other regional finals organisers. It’s the first time we have organised it and are hoping to make it even better next year.

“Great Britain has yet to produce a winner for Miss Universe. It would be great to make Victoria out first one.”

If Victoria were to win the national and international competitions, she she would get £20,000 in prizes and will spend a year in New York as a paid charity ambassador.