Final preparations for Miss World title

Miss Preston Elizabeth Grant wins the Miss England 2016 contest held at the Foral Hall, Southport. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2016. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Elizabeth Grant, who won her Miss England title in July, is jetting off to Washington on November 26 in preparation for the coveted event on December 18.

But before she does, she’s hoping businesses in her home city can help her through sponsorship.

She said: “I’m mainly looking for day dresses, interview outfits and shoes that I can appear on the likes of ABC wearing. I’m out there for three weeks, so will need a few.

Miss Preston Elizabeth Grant at the Widrush 48 Festival

“In return I’ll be able to publicise the businesses on my social media. The idea is to really put Preston on the map.”

She’s already been sponsored by Leyland-based accounts RfM with a Mercedes A Class and chauffeur.

The 20-year-old from Ribbleton said: “It’s overwhelming. I was on the bus a couple of months ago! It goes to show how much love Preston has for it’s own girl.”

She added: “It’s been a mixture of emotions in the past few months, and now things have started to get real.

“There’s lots of preparation to do before I fly out there as well as working two jobs and organising my family and private life. It’s very busy, but I’m excited.”

Her dad Des said: “There’s been much excitement but now it’s turned to trepidation.

“She’s come down to earth a bit now from being on cloud nine and we’re now concentrating on getting everything ready.”

Elizabeth will represent the UK against the winners of 129 other national titles in front of an expected audience of millions at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre in Washington.

To win Miss World, she must score the highest number of points for a range of activities which take place from the moment the contestants arrive at the competition. The challenges include sports, talent, and top model.

Elizabeth first came to the public’s attention when she won the Miss Preston competition in April, having been talent-spotted in the street.

She dedicated her first title to Derian House Children’s Hospice where her sister Melanie was cared for before dying of a brain tumour in 2001 at the age of 12.

Now she says she will continue to raise money for the hospice as Miss England.

Anyone interesting in sponsoring Elizabeth is asked to email Miss England co-ordinator Mark Jones at: [email protected]