A GRAYS woman who won a place in a final of a national beauty contest said it’s boosted her confidence.

Louise Fraser, 24, has won the place in the final of Miss Galaxy UK 2019.

She will represent her home town as Miss Grays Galaxy.

She will be competing in the grand final in March with women from all over the country.

The final is taking place at The Park Hall Hotel, Lancashire, on March 10.

She said: “I am so excited to have made it to the final, it is a great achievement and I cannot wait to meet all of the other girls.

“I applied for this pageant because I’ve always wanted to do something like this but didn’t have the confidence.

“So as a New Year’s resolution, I wanted to try something new and push myself out of my comfort zone.

“I’ve always been known as the quiet girl but I wanted this year to be different.

“When I applied I didn’t really think I would get in because this is the first pageant I’ve done.

“But little did I know, a few weeks later I’d get confirmation I had been shortlisted and later confirmation that I was a finalist.

“I was over the moon and so overwhelmed that I had been picked for this amazing pageant.

“The competition has already doubled my confidence.

“The process so far has been great. I don’t often get a chance to get dressed up so this is perfect for my inner girly girl.”

She said the other contestants have been great as well.

She has been getting to know them over social media.

She chose the pageant because of how inclusive it is – she said it doesn’t matter how tall, short or what dress size you are.

The jewellery worker said it’s about being confident and having fun.

She said: “Now I’m hooked, I’ve definitely caught the pageant bug, I can’t wait.”

The winner of Miss Galaxy UK will travel to the USA with contestants from around the world, to compete in the Miss Galaxy International final in the summer.