Miss Basildon looks set to be named as the new Miss Great Britain - after the original winner was sacked for "bringing the pageant into disrepute".

Louise White, runner-up in the prestigious competition, could be promoted after winner Danielle Lloyd was stripped of her title after posing topless for Playboy.

It has been reported Miss Lloyd had had a relationship with West Ham United striker, and Miss GB judge, Teddy Sheringham before the final in February.

However, she claimed she had only met the former England forward after he had judged the final, despite saying in a magazine article that she had spent last Christmas with footballer Sheringham, who had bought her a £7,000 pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.

Now Miss White, originally from Westcliff who now lives in Reading with boyfriend and Brentford footballer Lloyd Owusu, is widely expected to take over as Miss Great Britain.

The pretty brunette, who turned 23 on Friday, said: "In the rules it states that if the winner gets sacked then the runner-up gets the title.

"If they offered it to me then I would definitely take it.

"I'm proud to be representing Basildon and giving the town a good name."

Louise's dad Ray, from St Andrew's Road, Rochford, claimed his daughter deserved the title of Miss Great Britain as she received the highest judges mark at the ceremony, only to miss out to Miss Lloyd through audience votes.

He said: "A lot of people have told us they think Louise should have won on the night."

A spokeswoman for Miss Lloyd said her comments about spending last Christmas with Shering-ham had arisen from a "misunderstanding" and the pricey shoes were an early gift for this Christmas.

The spokeswoman said: "She will not contest the decision to revoke the title because she accepts posing topless for Playboy was in breach of the rules."