MISS Burnley and Miss Blackburn 2011 have been crowned following a glittering fashion show.

Girls from both towns took part in the East Lancashire 'Beauty With A Purpose' event at Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn.

Following the catwalk parade separate awards were held to name the two town's winners.

Charlotte Pilling, 20, a sales advisor from Bacup, won the Miss Burnley title.

And student radiologist Harriet Noakley, 22, who works at Royal Blackburn Hospital, won the Miss Blackburn heat.

She said: “It was brilliant, I really enjoyed every minute of it.

“I had seen a few of the competitions. I love wearing long dresses, the whole dressing like a princess kind of thing, and it is something I had always wanted to take part in.

“When I realised it was about supporting charities too I raised £300 for the Variety Club, the children’s charity for Miss Blackburn.

“I did a dissertation at university on elderly care in hospitals and if you win Miss England it gives you a chance to become an ambassador and I could raise awareness of elderly care.”

Charlotte said she thought her chance of victory had passed her by 12 months ago.

She said: “I was meant to be in the competition last year but I got stuck in the Dominican Republic because of the ash cloud.

“I work in River Island in Burnley and the organisers have scouted me twice now. I thought it must be a sign, so I had a go again.

“But I really didn't expect to win. I was sat backstage with my shoes off when my name was announced as the winner.

“It's not sunk in yet.”

Charlotte and Harriet received a host of prizes including Xtreme lashes from the event's sponsors, Wake Up Glam beauty salon in Burnley, a £500 portfolio shoot from Yafe Model, a handmade Swarovski tiara from Rebecca June Tiaras and a £250 cash prize.

They will also get a personal website from Camm 21 and personal coaching for the next stage of the competition, which is part of the Miss England contest.

Mark Jones, north west regional organiser for Miss England, said: “Sunday was a bit crazy, the crowd were wild. It was a really good night, the crowd loved it and the girls loved it.

“They're both really nice girls. I think we've got two really good winners.”

The duo will take on 60 other hopefuls at the Miss England semi finals in Leicestershire on June 13.

Fifteen contestants will progress to the final in Birmingham in July, with the eventual winner challenging for the Miss World title in London in November.