A BUILDING society has created record interest levels -- by appointing a national beauty contest finalist as a manager!

Adele Roberts was runner-up in High Street Honeys, FHM magazine's search for 'gorgeous girls next door' in 2003.

But now she is focussing on 'high street money' after taking over at the Skipton Building Society's branch in Union Street, Accrington.

The 25-year-old, a qualified mortgage adviser, is keen to brush-off the stuffy bank clerk image -- and prove she is not just a pretty face.

Adele, who lives in Blackpool with fiance Jamie, said: "It was Jamie who put me in the competition after we got back from Cyprus when I was 22.

"It was a whirlwind of photoshoots and parties.

I had a great time but now I'm concentrating on my career and this job comes with a lot of responsibility.

"The customers were fantastic when I was in the competition as they were all voting for me. I would encourage anybody to have a go as it's a lot of fun and it didn't do me any harm."

Adele had worked as a customer adviser at the Cleveleys branch for five years, where she was twice voted Customer Adviser of the Year.

She added: "I'm looking forward to having a chat over a cup of tea with the familiar faces of our customers -- and also welcoming many new ones."

Christine Lambe, director of Unique, an East Lancashire 'women in business' group with 600 members, said: "Business women often have to make extra effort to be taken seriously and if you are good looking you can be classed as a dumb blonde. But that is not usually the case."