A BEAUTY queen has visited a school in her hometown to help young people have a positive perception of their bodies.

Stephanie Casser-Thurgood, the recently crowned Miss Durham, was at North Durham Academy in Stanley on Friday.

Last week, the school was working with the Friendly Development Charity on its Beautiful is... initiative.

The positive body image road show is thought to be the first of its kind in the region and aimed to increase pupils’ confidence in their own bodies through assemblies and workshops.

Miss Casser-Thurgood, a health care worker, who attended Stanley School of Technology before it merged with Greencroft School to form the academy, said: “I gave a talk to tell people it is not just about being beautiful on the outside, you have also go to be beautiful on the inside.

“They responded really well and it was nice to go back and see how the kids are doing in the new school.

“It is an amazing building with the all of the facilities they have got there. It made me want to go back.

“A few of them came over and asked if they could have their picture taken with me. I felt like a bit of a celeb.”