Lisa Marie's a model student

Lisa Marie Ousby, the 17-year-old beauty queen of Poplar Avenue, Longton, qualified to the final of the prestigious competition earlier this year and made her first trip to London on Saturday February 23 for the big event.

Although she did not come away with the big prize the lucky student scooped a top runner-up prize in the competition after travelling to the event with her grandmother Ada Cookson, also of Poplar Avenue, Longton.

Now Lisa Marie is set to swap her crown for a cap and gown as she embarks on a university degree course.

Lisa Marie said: "For the opening we wore little shorts and tops and did this Moulin Rouge dance. Then we were divided into groups, according to our height for the next three stages of leisure wear, swimwear and evening wear."

"I wore a cerise pink sequined evening dress and had a very short interview."

Lisa Marie, who is studying at Runshaw College, Leyland, had to wait nervously backstage as the judges chose the winner from 44 finalists. She said: "There was a delay, the judges couldn't decide on a winner so we had to come out and walk again."

Finally they announced a tie break between three girls, one of which was Lisa Marie.

Lisa Marie's grandmother Ada Cookson, also of Poplar Avenue, said: "There couldn't be a tie, only one girl is allowed to win and I think they chose the older girl as part of the prize was to be whisked off to Madonna and Guy Ritchie's private party. Lisa Marie is only 17 so she wouldn't be able to attend."

Lisa's prize was a dream holiday to Croatia, in the former Yugoslavia.

She said: "I am not sure who I will go with yet." Lisa Marie is keeping her feet firmly on the ground working hard so she can study graphics and photography at university in the future.

She is the second Preston girl to make the big time following on from Jenna Fisher the 16-year-old Penwortham girl who was chosen as the face of fashion house Prada, last month.