Miss Cambridgeshire Amber Twell from March misses out on national title but reaches top 20 in the final

Miss Cambridgeshire (Image: Archant)

The 18-year-old student from March beat nearly 20,000 other contestants to become one of the competition’s 51 finalists.

She said it was “by far the most incredible experience I have had. I had the best two days I could have imagined. When I was travelling down I was slightly worried as to what everyone was going to be like with each other but all the girls were feeling the same as me and I have made some of my closest friends from Miss England.”

Throughout the contest each participant battled a number of rounds over two days, last Thursday and Friday, including general knowledge tests, a public vote and top model.

Miss Coventry Natasha Hemmings was crowned Miss England while Miss Nottingham Rebecca Drysdale and Miss Cheltenham Sophie Smith came second and third respectively.

Miss Cambridgeshire (Image: Archant)

“On the first night we had an eco-wear round and my outfit was made from a cut up and dyed wedding dress with shells sown and glued on – it took ages,” she said.

But it was the extreme sports round which Amber found toughest.

“It was a military extreme boot camp with circuits and then a plank off. Luckily I wasn’t the first girl down which was a relief as I think most girls were worried about that. The instructors were very harsh,” she said.

Adding: “They could decide whether you were out of the round which would knock points off of you so every girl tried their hardest.”

However, Amber excelled in the charity queen round having raised £1,007.

Speaking about the overall experience, Amber, who attended both Westwood Junior School and Neale-Wade Academy in March, said: “I had my family behind me the whole way - my mum, step-dad, and boyfriend were there cheering me on.

“I am proud of what I achieved as I wouldn’t have been able to work with the charities I have as Miss Cambridgeshire if not. And meeting the people I have has opened many doors for me.”