There will be a Fermanagh connection represented in this year's Miss Northern Ireland Final to be staged at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Monday 16th June.

Victoria Hawe who's aunt and uncle Ruth and Richard and cousins Ellen and Mark White hail from Enniskillen, was crowned Miss Belfast at a heat held in the city's Cafe Vaudeville on Thursday night.

The 19-year-old primary school teaching student from Killinchy fought off stiff competition from 26 other contestants to take the coveted title and secure her place in the prestigious finale. And despite not having done any modelling work before, she did enough to impress the judging panel which included a number of former Miss Northern Ireland's.

She was joined on staged by fellow competitor Aisling McCaffrey who's grandparents May and Paddy are from Lisnaskea.

The competition organised by Alison Campbell modelling agency now gives Victoria a realistic shot of vying for a national title where prizes include an all expenses paid trip to the Miss World final in Ukraine later this year, car tax and insurance for one year, and a modelling contract with Alison Campbell.

Victoria who does part-time promotional work for Coca-Cola says she was shocked to be crowned Miss Belfast.

"I applied to Alison Campbell for work and they offered me an application form to enter Miss Northern Ireland and that's how I got into the Belfast heat. I had to walk up, stand and smile on the top balcony of the Cafe Vaudeville restaurant. I was then asked questions by the judges about myself and why I had entered, what my hobbies were and what I did in my spare time. I had to walk down the steps and stop to speak to a TV presenter who asked questions like if he was in a penthouse what would I cook for him. We were then whittled down to the last seven and then the winner was announced after that.

"I really enjoyed it, it was really exciting and I'm so glad Alison Campbell offered me the opportunity. I was so shocked when I got through."