16-year-old Katie is crowned Miss Newark

A 16-year-old student has been crowned this year’s Miss Newark and District.

Katie Green impressed judges at the final of the competition at Kelham Hall and Country Park on Saturday.

There were 18 finalists, with 11 making it through to the latter stage before a top three was chosen.

Katie, of Mansfield Woodhouse, studies business and administration at West Nottinghamshire College.

She was scouted on Facebook by the Miss England organisation, which runs the competition.

“Entering beauty pageants was not something I ever thought about because I am a shy person,” said Katie.

“I took part in a two-day course where I met Georgia Blades-Richardson, the former Miss Newark, who gave us some tips. We also practised how to take to the catwalk.”

In the run-up to the finals, Katie held a charity dinner party for local businesses.

She raised £400 for Miss England’s charity, Beauty With A Purpose. Her efforts won her the Miss Charity category at the final.

Katie said: “I enjoy cooking so I created the menu and cooked all the food myself.

“This year my main focus will be continuing with charity work and hopefully hosting more charity dinner parties.

“I will also be focusing on the Miss England semi-finals in the next few months.

“I am looking forward to the year ahead and will be taking every opportunity given to me.”

The Miss Newark final started with a designer fashion show by Blessed Fashions, of Newark — one of the event’s main sponsors, along with the Advertiser Media Group.

All the finalists modelled three outfits. They also took part in a sports round, paraded in evening gowns, and were interviewed on stage.

Five category winners were chosen, along with six judges’ choices. The top three were selected from these 11 girls.

The runner-up was Frances Foster, 16, of Lincolnshire, who also won the Newark Advertiser Miss Popularity category.

Third overall was Francesca Jennings, 22, who is in the RAF and based at Waddington.

The other category winners were: Top Model (sponsored by Simon Giddings of Prime Photography): Jade Robertson, 19, an actress from Lincoln; Miss Inspirational: Emily Esberger, 22, who works with dementia patients; Beach Beauty (chosen by Karen Cook, owner of Le Sanctuaire Spa, Lincoln): Sophie Anderton, 18, of Newark.