Next Monday night, it will be left to a Trillick beauty to fly the flag for Tyrone in the Miss Northern Ireland finals in Belfast.

Having booked her place by winning the Miss Glenavon competition, 20 year-old Fiona Keenan now takes on 25 other hopefuls in the race to be crowned with the coveted title, and although the student is very much looking forward to the event, she admits that it came about almost by accident.

"I was up at the Miss Northern Ireland heat in the Moy with some friends, and when I was there Alison Campbell handed me a leaflet and told me to enter. At that stage I still wasn't sure and it took a bit of convincing from a few people, but I'm very glad that I did. I won the Miss Glenavon heat on the May 19, and it's been a bit of a whirlwind since!" she said.

The last few weeks have been incredibly busy for Fiona, who has been combining her part-time job with the demands of the competition. It's been hard work at times, but she's determined to enjoy the experience, and admits she's enjoying her glimpse into the showbiz lifestyle.

"We've been doing a number of photoshoots, about four in the last few weeks, so it's been pretty hectic. Then we've a whole programme of events over the weekend of the competition, going down to Belfast on the Saturday morning through to Monday night. I've had quite a bit of recognition, with people saying "you're the girl was in the paper" and the likes. It's nice, and everyone is so supportive."

The winner of the competition will receive thousands of pounds worth of prizes including a brand new Honda car for the duration of her reign. Prizes for the title holder and all finalists include Junction One gift vouchers, a range of fashion and beauty products and a year's modelling contract with the complete prize package for the competition worth almost £40,000. Miss NI 2007 will also win an all expenses paid, month long trip representing Northern Ireland in this years Miss World contest due to be held in China. Looking at how previous winners have done during and after their reign, Fiona can appreciate the doors which participating in the competition can open, and points to last years winner as a shining example of how it takes more than just looks to be successful.

"Catherine Milligan won Miss Talent at the Miss World contest last year, finishing in the top 16 of the competition. She's a really lovely girl, she's so supportive and had done everything she can to help us prepare for what's ahead of us. Her achievements show what you can do, and obviously looks has a lot to do with it, but it shows that you need to have personality and character as well."

The youngest in her family, with three sisters and one brother, Fiona will have plenty of support behind her for the Europa finals. The clock is very much ticking as the competition draws closer, and although the nerves are mounting, so too is the level of excitement as Fiona continues her quest for the title.

"I'm looking forward to it and very much enjoying it. I've never done anything like this before, so I don't really know what to expect so I'm just enjoying it all as it comes. I'm flying solo from Tyrone so I'll be out to do the county proud. It's really exciting and I hope that I'll do well," she concluded.