AN insurance worker has won first prize in a beauty contest.

Carrianne Green, from Darlington, triumphed in the second annual Miss Durham competition, at Sedgefield Racecourse last night.

Miss Green was voted favourite in a text vote, then finishing strongly to impress the eight judges on the night.

"I entered as a bit of a laugh," said the 20-year-old.

"I thought it would be a bit of fun to see how far I could get. I couldn't believe it when I got a phone call inviting me to the audition.

"Then I found out on my birthday I was in the last 20. I'm really pleased to have won but don't know what to say about it. It will be an honour to represent the area I have lived in all of my life."

She will now represent County Durham in the Miss England contest, to be held in Liverpool this summer.

If she wins she could land a trip to China for the Miss World pageant.

One of the judges, Tina Hamilton, said: "She was the clear winner by a large majority. She was so natural, a real beauty and carried herself so well.

"We all knew we picked the right winner."

Performing arts student Rachel Wilkinson, 20, of Haswell, was second and Minty Edmondson, a 20-year-old art and design student, from Darlington, was third.

The trio were among 20 finalists who paraded in evening wear, colours of their favourite football team, and clubbing outfits.