Christine Rutter meets Whalley-born Miss Europe, Marie-Claire Harrison

THE most beautiful woman in Europe was once the target of playground bullies who taunted her about her physique.

As she spoke to me, the 5ft 10in beauty leaned forward, her dark shiny hair falling like silk over her shoulders and her soft brown eyes hardening for a second.

"I was teased about my height at school," she said. "I grew suddenly and always remember feeling too tall and skinny. I hated it."

At 23, Whalley-born Marie-Claire Harrison made history by becoming the first English contestant to be crowned Miss Europe since the contest began back in the 1940s.

"I thought nobody from England ever wins and was laid-back about it. I couldn't believe it when I won," said the modest 34-24-36 stunner.

"It's just like a dream," she said as she gestured to the armchair stacked high with presents from other beauty contestants, proof positive that this was no daydream. "I remember sitting in the model Yvette Livesey's house and watching her in Miss UK," she said. "I thought it was fantastic and said I'd love to do that. But I thought I'd never get there. Isn't it weird how things turn out?" But Marie-Claire says she still doesn't find herself attractive.

"I don't consider myself to be beautiful. I think personality is more important and I think I am a nice person."

Of the contest, she said: "A lot of women prepare months and months in advance and get worked up about it. When the show starts everybody gets stressed and they start shouting at each other. There is bitchiness but I have made a lot of friends and I am planning to visit Miss Sweden soon.

"I cannot describe the feeling when I was crowned. I know I'll never feel like that again," said Marie-Claire, who told the judges her ideal man was Sting because he was strong, attractive and shared her concern for the Amazon rainforest.

"It would have been nice to know that someone was there in the audience that I knew but, to be honest, I don't remember the crowd at all. It was unbelievable. My career really needed this." The budding actress and TV presenter cites Demi Moore as her role model. She points to a sparkling tiara on the table at her present home in Lammack, Blackburn, and unpacks a 200-year-old Albanian costume presented to her along with the title and £14,000 in prize money.

"I will buy a new car and invest the rest for my future. I would feel I was wasting it if I went on holiday," said Marie-Claire, who is flying out to Lebanon today for one of three beauty contests she has to attend as Miss Europe.

"It is exciting for a village girl who had a normal upbringing and normal job," she said.

Marie Claire gave up her dream of becoming a primary school teacher to become a model.

The former pupil of St Augustine's High School, Billington, who got eight O-levels and three A-levels, hit out at the feminist killjoys who criticise beauty contests.

"I don't agree with those people who want beauty shows banned," she said. "All the contestants enjoy the show and people love watching it.

"They may call us bimbos but a lot of models are students trying to make a bit of extra cash. Admittedly, there are some thick models but these people are in every type of job."

She worked at a solicitor's and Clitheroe Job Centre before meeting Brian Tattersall, a male model who appears on The Price is Right TV show. "He encouraged me to get back into modelling," she said. "My work colleagues thought I was mad to give up my job. But I knew I could do it. Brian and I have since parted company. I'm enjoying my freedom now. Modelling was a whole new world and I was very naive at the start. I had to grow up fast," said Marie-Claire, who grew up in Whalley with her sisters Christina and Juliette and a brother Marcus.

She signed for Boss modelling agency in Manchester and was soon working on TV shows, commercials and adverts for travel companies.

But being given the Miss UK title, enabling her to compete in Miss Europe, was her winning move.

So what are her beauty secrets? Clad in jeans, jumper and brogues, she said: "I haven't any. I cleanse and moisturise. I've never had a facial. I do drink lots of water, but because I like it. I should do more exercise. I like horse-riding, fencing and water-skiing. I joined a gym but have only been six times and I have a weakness for butter." Her simple style paid off and her friends and relatives are overjoyed.

A fortune teller said she would win a big competition and her prediction came true.

The psychic also mentioned a dark, handsome man would win her hand in the next few months.

"There is no reason to believe this won't come true either," she laughed.

Watch out East Lancashire men - you could be lucky.

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