A NORTH-East teenager has been crowned Miss Water in an eco-themed beauty pageant.

Alisha Cowie, 16, was representing County Durham in the national final of Miss Teen Earth UK.

As well as being named as one of the runners up to the pageant, she took part in the Face of the World Modelling competition, which she won.

The Spennymoor teenager, who studies health and social care at New College Durham, said: “It was really nerve-racking but it was great. I’m really proud of myself and I think I’ve made my family proud with all the charity work I’ve been doing.”

After winning the competition she is now taking part in the international finals, held in Birmingham in September.

Ahead of the event she is doing a skydive to raise money for Together for Short Lives, a charity for children with life-threatening conditions.

Miss Cowie, who works part time as a waitress at the Park Head Hotel near Coundon, added: “I’m nervous but I’m really excited. I just want to raise as much as I can.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alisha-cowie2