A TEENAGER is hoping a combination of looks and brains will land her the prize in a beauty contest.

Kimberley Peacock, 17, of Wheatley Hill, County Durham, won the Miss Durham title in April and is now one of 54 contestants in the running for Miss England.

A student at Durham Sixth Form Centre in Durham City, she achieved five A-stars and five As at GCSE and is now studying English literature, maths, history and classical civilisation for her A-levels.

She hopes to become an actress, but also wants to study at Oxford or Cambridge universities as her other career aspirations including being a journalist, television presenter or lawyer.

Voting opened on June 18 and Kimberley is currently in sixth place with 87 votes, the top score being 203.

“I didn’t think I would win Miss Durham,’’ she said. “I’m just doing it for a bit of fun. It is a great opportunity and I like to grab every opportunity I can. I’ll go in for it and hopefully my personality will shine through.’’ The prizes include an allexpenses paid trip to Miss World in South Africa, a holiday in Thailand, a fashion shoot and a course in TV presenting.

To vote for her, people should visit the website missengland. info, text the name of their choice to 81118, or call 09012-937900 and enter the contestant’s two digit code – Kimberley’s is 03. Votes cost £1 and 15p goes to charity.

Public voting, which counts towards the final tally, ends on Monday July 20, when the finals area held at the Hilton London Metropole.