Jade Saunders, 20, beat 24 other contestants to be crowned the town’s first Miss Scarborough in almost 20 years at a glittering ceremony at the Spa Ocean Room on Sunday night.

She said she was finally coming to terms with her success following her first public engagements and was looking forward to the year ahead

Jade, of Scalby, said: “It is starting to sink in now. At first I couldn’t believe it. I was really shocked because there were so many gorgeous girls backstage.”

And the former St Peter’s and St Augustine’s pupil revealed she might not have even entered the contest if it had not been for her mum Jackie.

She said: “My mum entered me into the competition. At first I wasn’t sure about it but as the weeks passed by and my picture went in the paper I got more and more excited.

“I thought it would be a good way to build my confidence, but above all I thought it would be a really fun thing to do – and it was.”

Mrs Saunders, who runs a children’s shop in Huntriss Row, said: “I am sure every mum thinks their daughter is the most beautiful, but I knew she had a good chance of winning. I think I must be the proudest mum in Scarborough!”

Jade, who will soon complete the first year of her psychology degree at the University of Hull, will now represent Scarborough at the Miss England semi-finals in June.

She said: “It is a really really exciting opportunity which doesn’t come around very often. I will get ready for it as best as I can.”

More than 320 people watched Jade’s coronation, which was hosted by current Miss England Georgia Horsley, of Malton.

Jade, who is also Miss Scarborough Evening News for the year, won a host of prizes including a car for the next 12 months, courtesy of Polar Ford.

She completed her first assignment on Tuesday when she made an appearance at the Business Trade Fair at the Hotel St Nicholas, and is excited about her year-long reign.

She said: “It will be really interesting to see all the different aspects of the role and the range of assignments I am given.”