Crowning glory for Laura (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Crowning glory for Laura

12:00pm Thursday 28th January 2010 in Gazette Video By Emily Roberts

THERE was not a flat shoe or an unmanicured nail in sight at the final of Miss Basingstoke 2010.

Nine beauties from the local area battled it out to be crowned the winner of the annual competition – a victory that put one of them on the road to the Miss England semi-final.

A judging panel, including reigning Miss England winner Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, grilled the finalists about their aims for the future, why they want to represent the town and what they would say to those who do not agree with beauty pageants.

Some stumbled on their words, struggling to find the answers, while others held their own with confidence and charisma.

One generously claimed that she would donate all potential future prize money to charity, while another argued that those who disagree with beauty pageants have no idea what is involved.

The girls were all asked to dress in recycled outfits as part of the competition. Contestant Emma Pearce paid just £3.99 for her lacy black dress and told the judges: “My grandad died when I was very little and I was very close to him. He died of heart disease and in my family there’s a strong chance someone will get heart disease, which is why I bought my outfit from the British Heart Foundation.”

After nearly three hours of photographs, questions and waiting, sitting nervously in a room in the Red Lion hotel at the Top of The Town, the contestants and their families and friends gathered to hear the judges’ verdict.

In third place was 20-year-old Brook Lott, while second place went to Emma Pearce, 23. But the tiara and sash were reserved for winner Laura Ashfield, who impressed the judges with her winning looks.

Speaking after the crowning ceremony, 22-year-old Laura, from Old Basing, said: “It’s absolutely amazing – I just can’t believe it. I’m in shock.

“I didn’t think I had a chance with all these girls. I’m speechless and shaking still. The day was so nerve-racking but it was good fun. Now I hope to go on and win Miss England.”

Laura won a year’s worth of hairdressing from Toni and Guy Basingstoke and a one-day TV training course from the TV Training Academy.

The winner, who has just graduated from performing arts college, will represent the town in the Miss England semi-final to be held later this year in Leicestershire, and if she eventually takes that crown, she will go on to represent the country in Miss World.

Katrina said that the judges had chosen Laura because they believed that she would do well in the competition, adding: “She’s a natural beauty. She has confidence, she’s absolutely gorgeous and is a really sweet, nice girl.

“I wasn’t actually looking for anything in particular. I just wanted to get to know the personalities of the finalists, why they wanted to be Miss Basingstoke, and what they could bring to the title, and Laura just seemed really genuine. But the other girls were all fantastic – they have all done well.”