STUNNING Blackburn beauty Marie-Claire Harrison was today the centre of attention for the world's photographers after being crowned Miss Europe.

The down-to-earth 23-year-old picked up a cheque for a cool £14,000 when she was named Europe's most beautiful woman at a glitzy ceremony in Albania

And the first thing the 34-24-36 model did after winning the contest in front of 20 million TV viewers was call her mum back home in East Lancashire.

From her room at the luxury Tirana International Hotel, Marie-Claire said she could not wait to celebrate with friends back home at Blackburn nightspot Club Euro. Marie-Claire, of Lammack, said: "I just couldn't believe it when I heard my name being called as the winner.

"It didn't sink in and it still hasn't. The last 24 hours have just been so hectic that I still find it all difficult to take in.

"I went to see a fortune teller last week and she told me I was going to win a big contest.

"I'm going to call her when I get back home and tell her she was right."

Marie-Claire is a former pupil of St Augustine's School, Billington, and worked for a short time at Clitheroe Job Centre.

She said: "My mum always said I should be a model and it's because of her I got into it.

"The prize money is excellent and I think I'm going to buy myself a new Corsa.

"I really want to be a TV presenter or actress, so I hope this win will help me. "I've been Miss London and I'm currently Miss England but this is really something special.

"I've travelled all over the world but East Lancashire is my home and I love the place. I go out in town when I can and I really like Club Euro."

Despite her looks, Marie-Claire doesn't have a boyfriend at the moment.

A four year relationship with boyfriend Brian Tattersall, of Whalley, who is one of the models on Bruce Forsyth's The Price is Right, recently ended. She now plans to stay single and concentrate on her career.

Mum Virginia Speak, of Simonstone, said: "When she called, she was still wearing the crown. I'm delighted, she's the most down to earth person you could wish to meet."

Dad David Harrison, of Whalley, said: "I am so proud of her. She will go a long way."

Marie-Claire, who has two sisters and a brother, also won a 100-year-old traditional Albanian costume, donated by Tirana City Hall.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.