THIS year's Miss Worcestershire attended the grand finals hoping to show it was more than looks but ended up challenging some of her own assumptions.

Amber Cartlidge, aged 22, attended Miss Great Britain in Leicester over Thursday 14 and Friday 15, September as one of the 50 regional finalists.

Despite not making the top 15, Miss Cartlidge was still proud to make the final and get her message across.

Before the event, Miss Cartlidge noted how she struggled with confidence throughout school because she was diagnosed with scoliosis aged 14 and that was the impetus for signing up.

The swimwear round, which Miss Cartlidge confessed to being slightly outdated, was not as bad as she anticipated and helped her confidence more than anything else.

"Going on stage in a swimming costume was actually really fun. It was something I had never imagined doing," she said.

"I didn't know if I necessarily agreed with doing it before but once I had it was great for my confidence.

"It was like that for a lot of girls I think, quite a lot of people said they felt the same.

"What they are looking for is confidence so I can understand a bit more now why they do it."

The show also managed to answer a question that is always brought up.

"Something I always get asked is whether all the other contestants are bitchy," she said.

"It was so not the case, everybody was really friendly and supportive.

"All of the contestants went out together for something to eat on Thursday

"We're all in a WhatsApp group and some of the contestants are arranging to go on holiday together.

"It's fascinating because everybody has a personal reason for wanting to do it and it's interesting to hear what everybody has to say."

Miss Cartlidge shared a room with Miss Bath, Amelia Watt, who finished fourth in the contest.

"It was great to share a room with someone who had done it before," she added.

"She gave me so many tips, she even scored my shoes so I wouldn't slip over on the stage!"

Miss Cartlidge is now studying for a masters in Mathematics at the University of Leeds but insists she will still focus on her duties as Miss Worcestershire.

"I'll still hold the title until they choose a new one," she said.

"I've been in touch with the Scoliosis Association and plan to fundraise for them and I've contacted a youth group in Warndon who I'll be helping soon."

Miss Cartlidge is already due to take part in another pageant and is fully supported by her family and friends.

"My dad came to watch and he was so proud, he was already asking when the next one is going to be," she said.