Emily flies flag for home town

Although originally from Kettering, Emily Bunce, 24, has reached the semi-finals of the competition by winning Miss Nuneaton – near her new home in Coventry where she works as a biomedical scientist, specialising in blood sciences.

This is Emily’s second attempt at winning the Miss England crown, as she also reached the semi-finals last year.

This year, she is hoping to book a place in the final. Emily said: “Last year was incredible. I met some truly wonderful people who I’m glad to call friends now.

“I wanted to enter again to see if I could just a little better than last year.

“It’s been wonderful to continue my charity work from the past year and its nice to know my hard work has been noticed. I still get very nervous but all the fun of it really calms you down.”

Emily said she wanted to enter Miss England to build her confidence after she lost three stone in weight and she also wanted to diminish the stereotypes about scientists.

She added: “When I was 16 the first plus size model took part in Miss England and placed second over all, she was an inspiration to me.

“It’s great that I have now been able to inspire others, and promote a positive image of beauty pageants. They have changed so much and it’s not until you take notice of them that you realise it’s not about bikinis anymore.

“It’s about who you are, what you do, your charity work and being a role model.

“My friends and family were surprised that I wanted to do it, but so supportive of everything I do. I think they knew how much it meant to me to do something different.”

Emily is raising money for the Beauty With A Purpose charity and has organised lots of fundraisers on the run-up to her appearance in the semi-finals. She added: “This money raised stays in the UK and helps disadvantaged children. So far I’ve organised lots of pub quizzes, cake sales and clothes swaps, all the British fundraising classics.

To make a donation, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/EmilyBunce1991. Alternatively, search for Miss Nuneaton 2016 at www.facebook.com.