A BOLTON beauty is vying to be named Miss England — after being selected as a finalist in the national competition.

Lucy Physick, the current Miss Lancashire, progressed to the next stage of the contest and was named a top 20 finalist after taking part in the Miss England Beach Beauty competition in Southport.

Just 14 of the 50 Miss England finalists from around the country were chosen to participate, after submitting their bikini pictures to organisers.

Lucy, aged 23, who works as a visual merchandiser, now hopes to be named Miss England during the next stage of the event, held from Tuesday to Thursday in Southport.

The winner will then go on to represent England at the Miss World finals.

Lucy, from Westhoughton, said: "The Miss England Beach Beauty round represents strong modern day women who are proud of their bodies. Whether they are muscular, curvy or thin, it shows how to be healthy and happy with the skin you’re in.

"I hope young girls of today, and anyone who is suffering with body issues, as we all do from time to time, can look up to the Miss England Finalists and be inspired to be positive about their own bodies. It’s not about being ‘thin’, it’s about being healthy and happy.

"Fit doesn’t always mean ‘thin’. I will use the Beach Beauty title as a platform to enable me to promote body confidence.

"I believe it’s important for both males and females to understand that all our bodies are different. I hope to instil confidence in all body types and show that being in a bikini does not justify or degrade a woman.

"It’s about empowering women and the Miss England Beach Beauty round promotes this. We had a choice to enter this particular round in Miss England and I hope I have empowered others to enter in the same way I did and not be afraid to embrace their body and natural beauty.

"We are all beautiful in our own way!"

Miss England regional director, Mark Jones added: "This award isn’t just about looking good in a bikini.

"This is about five years of dedication, hard work, commitment to duties as Miss Bolton and Miss Lancashire, coming second and coming back again and again, serving her community, being an outstanding Role Model for every young woman that is fortunate enough to have met her, raising thousands of pounds for great causes and being an incredible Ambassador for Town, County and now England and Mauritius.

"That’s why this award is so very well deserved!

"Well done Lucy, we are so very, very proud of you."