The first Miss Durham was crowned last night after stunning the judges with her looks, poise and personality. Andrew White reports from the emotion-charged event.

Stunning Natalie Smith was crowned the first Miss Durham in an event of high emotion last night.

The 19-year-old from Chester-le-Street wowed the judges with her good looks, poise and personality during the contest at Sedgefield Racecourse.

Natalie will now go forward to represent County Durham at the Miss England championships in July, with a chance to go forward to the Miss World contest.

The judges for the contest said Natalie had caught their eyes from the first round.

Jockey Tony Dobbin, who rode a winner in between the contest rounds, said: "It was very difficult. They were all stunning, and that includes all 20 of the finalists. Natalie was very good looking, but everything about her stood out, including the way she spoke and her stature.

"She is a lovely girl."

Natalie's sister, 20-year-old Katie McCarthy, finished third in the contest, with Hartlepool's Rebecca Hutton in second place.

Earlier in the evening, the 20 finalists paraded in front of the large crowd in their choice of evening wear.

Each girl had their supporters, who cheered on their favourites as they were introduced to the crowd.

The finalists included The Northern Echo's own Kate Bowman, who was described by the compere as Amazonian.

The contestants then paraded in their choice of favourite football strip, followed by a round in which they wore clubbing outfits.

Judges then had the difficult task of narrowing the field down the final ten, who reappeared in evening wear.

The public also had their chance to vote for their favourite via telephone with 20-year-old Sonia Hassanien topping the popular vote.

Tension mounted as the ten finalists lined up to hear the judges announce the result in reverse order.

The winner burst into tears as her name was read out before mounting the podium to receive her crown.

Natalie received more than £5,000 worth of prizes for winning the competition sponsored by bookmaker Betfred and is now looking forward to an all expenses paid trip to the Miss England final in July.

Judges feel she has the potential to go all the way and clinch the national crown.