A HEALTH care worker who decided to enter a pageant when a woman told her she was beautiful inside and out has been crowned Miss Durham 2015.

Stephanie Cassar-Thurgood had not even heard of the Miss Durham contest until someone suggested she apply to take part.

Last night (Saturday, April 18) she won the final at Sedgefield Racecourse and will go on to represent County Durham in Miss England, which could lead to a place in the famous Miss World contest.

The 24-year-old, from Stanley, said: “The whole thing was fantastic, I’ve experienced feelings of excitement and nervousness and met lovely people.

“When I realised I’d won I thought ‘wow’, I couldn’t believe it and I’m really shocked and pleased.”

Miss Cassar-Thurgood went to Stanley School of Technology then New College in Durham before starting work in the health sector.

She now holds down three jobs as a health care assistant for Marie Curie and Lanchester Road Hospital, where she is also a housekeeper.

She said: “I love it, caring for people is in me and I like to try to make a difference, it is very rewarding.”

The event supported ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Miss Cassar-Thurgood raised £430 for the cause with a sponsored 42 mile bike ride with her dad, Jason Cassar.

She also had to create an outfit that reflected her personality, which included wellies as she loves the outdoors and her Durham Dodgers netball kit, and made a dress from recycled materials fit for a day at the races.

She said: “It has been mad but great fun.

“I’m really grateful to my dad and everyone who supported me or donated money, I was really proud of the money we raised as I’ve never accomplished anything like that before.”