Kiya Ennos, of Abington, now has her sights set on Miss England after the regional triumph.

She said: "I'm just really glad to be able to represent the town in the Miss England competition and to be more of a face to represent local charities.

"I would like to win Miss England for Northampton, I want to do the town proud as I'm Northampton born and bred."

The 18-year-old said she decided to enter the beauty pageant after happening across the Miss Northampton contest on the internet.

And Miss Northampton 2007, Sophie Harris, aged 17, from Daventry, has already passed on her best wishes.

Miss Ennos, who is a supporter of the Saints and the Cobblers, said: "She just said go for it and be confident."

The teenager wants to be a teacher for children with special needs and will take her first step towards achieving her ambition by taking a childcare course.

Her other achievements include winning a Stars in their Eyes-style contest in 2006 and she has also had poetry published and is a singer and dancer.

Miss Ennos said eventually she wants to set up a centre for children with Down's Syndrome and other disabilities.

She currently helps at 'Rocking Roadrunner' nights, which is a club for disabled young adults in Northampton.

The Miss England 2008 semi-final takes place on June 16 and 17.

Following that, 50 regional heat winners compete for the national title in London in a two-day event, culminating with the final which takes place on July 18.

The winner will be crowned and will go on to represent England in Miss World in Kiev, Ukraine, which has a first prize of $100,000.