Wrestler and kickboxer Emily is Miss England hopeful

Emily Fagan (23) will be trading the wrestling ring for the catwalk when she competes in the finals of the Miss North West beauty pageant in November.

The 23-year-old from Barrowford, who won a gold medal competing for Great Britain in the wrestling world championships and is a British champion kickboxer, is now hoping to be a knockout in the beauty world.

The former Colne Park High pupil said: “It all came as a big shock because my sister Shannon entered me in the competition without telling me.

“In fact, I only found out when I had a phone call saying I’d been chosen for the regional finals.

“I know it is completely different to anything I’ve done before, but I’m looking forward to it.

“If I win, the next stage will be Miss England – then it’s the world.

“The good thing is that all the finalists have to raise money for the competition’s chosen charity – Variety, which raises funds for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.”

Emily, who has just completed a degree in surface pattern design at Staffordshire University, said she hopes to pursue a career in graphic design. She added: “There are elements to this competition which I am looking forward to because I get to design my own outfit.

“There are four different categories of sportswear, party wear, formal evening and eco. The final one we have to design and make our own outfit.

“During my degree, I did some work experience at the Henry Holland fashion house in London and I worked on outfits that were supplied to Katy Perry, Rita Ora and Miley Cyrus. For the sportswear I’m thinking of wearing either my wrestling or kickboxing outfit.”

Emily is doing a sponsored Husky trek to the top of Mount Snowdon on November 6th to raise money for Variety.

To sponsor her visit www.justgiving.com/Emily-Fagan.

In 2008, Emily made history when she became the first female from the area to box officially under ABA rules aged 16.