STACEY Fox is Essex's most beautiful woman - and that's official.

The teenager was crowned Miss Essex this week and will now represent the county at the Miss England finals in Leicester from June 28 to 30. If she wins again, she will go on to the Miss World contest.

Her beaming mother, Carol, said: "I am very proud of her. She was up against 23 other girls in the final at the Three Rivers Golf and Country Club near Maldon.

"It's not just about looks - it's about personality as well. I wasn't surprised she entered the pageant. She always wanted to become Southend Carnival princess - something she achieved in 2005."

Stacey, 18, of Arterial Road, Eastwood, said she hopes the competition will lead to greater things.

She said: "I've always been interested in modelling, as well as singing and dancing. Hopefully, I will be offered more modelling."

The teenager is studying musical theatre at Whitehall Performing Arts College and will graduate in July.

As part of the competition, she will be organising a fundraising event to raise money for cancer research.