By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 12:18, Thursday, 17 May 2012

Self-confessed computer geek Natasha Cooper is out to prove that beauty queens can have brains after securing a place in the semi final of the Miss England contest.

Natasha Cooper

To qualify, the data centre specialist from Seascale in west Cumbria came third in the Miss Every Model competition – one of several routes to the famous crown.

Natasha, 22, will now compete in the Miss England semis in Leicester on May 30.

She hopes to use the contest to squash the stereotypes and prove that you can have both beauty and brains.

Having completed a degree in information technology solutions last July, she is now working as a records specialist in west Cumbria.

“There is a lot more to beauty queens than meets the eye and I want to help prove that we are more than just girls with pretty faces.

“It takes a lot more than just looks to be a beauty queen – you need to be a good ambassador for your town, county or even country and be confident, personable, eloquent and intelligent,” said Natasha.

“I think I have got all those traits and am determined to give the best performance I possibly can at the semi final in order to win one of the 14 places up for grabs in the Miss England grand final.”

Natasha will battle it out against 55 other semi finalists in four separate rounds – fitness, an interview, eco outfit and evening wear.

The winner of the fitness round will automatically qualifying for the final.

The scores from the remaining rounds will be collated and the top 14 girls on the night will go through.

The Miss England grand final is a four-day competition from June 23 June to 26.

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 17 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk