BEAUTY queens from across the country were put through their paces in a boot-camp which saw a Worcester student emerge on top.

Erin Smith, current Miss Worcester, was joined by other Miss England contestants for the training day, where they were put through an arduous commando fitness test.

Overseeing the training was former Royal Marine and Afghanistan veteran Lee Stuart. Commander Stuart chose the 19 year-old as the winner after the gruelling challenge came to an end.

The training included shuttle-runs, press-ups, planks and squats, with the women competing for a place in the top 50 of the national final.

For covid-safety purposes, contestants had to be split into groups with staggered arrival times.

It was the first activity to see the contestants meet in person, the previous heats of the competition having been held virtually on Zoom.

Miss Smith said: "I feel amazing, that challenge was right up my street. I loved it and I’m so happy to have won the sports award. All the other contestants worked so hard it was great. It was so intense I was surprised."

Cmdr Stuart said: "The effort and determination from all the contestants on Sunday was outstanding.

"I really put them through their paces with an authentic ‘marines-style’ PT session and they all rose to the challenge.

"It was very tough deciding on the winner but Erin just edged it with her slightly superior fitness levels.”

This year's Miss England finals will be held on August 27.

For more information, go to www.missengland.info/new-date-miss-england-final/