Beauty therapist Megan Bowyer will be taking on the country’s beauty queens for the title of Miss England.

Miss Bowyer, 22, won the Miss Wiltshire crown in May and will compete against 59 rivals in the final of Miss England in a few weeks. The winner of Miss England will go through to the Miss World final.

This is the first beauty competition Miss Bowyer, of Eastcott, near Devizes, has entered and she is struggling to comprehend her success.

She said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I am in the final of Miss England. I never expected to win Miss Wiltshire, but I am grateful to have the experience.”

Miss Bowyer is a beauty therapist at Talk of the Town in Old Town, Swindon. However, she has applied to go to university to study sports therapy so she can become a PE teacher.

The final of Miss England takes place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on August 31 and September 1. The organisers have banned the swimwear round and replaced it with sportswear, a move that will result in the contest being televised for the first time in 22 years.

Contestants will also be modelling jeans, evening wear, cocktail dresses and an eco outfit.

Miss Bowyer said: “I’m quite glad that the swimwear round has gone. I think sportswear is much better as it promotes being active.”

There are a number of mini competitions that will fast-track contestants to the final 20 such as whoever raises the most money for the event’s charity, The Variety Club of Great Britain, and the winner of a telephone public vote.

Miss Bowyer, who is a brown belt in judo, said: “When I think about the Miss England final it makes me really nervous, but I think it will be a good experience. My friends and colleagues are really excited about it.”

“If I win it would be fantastic but if I don’t I will be happy just to have taken part.”

The public vote begins tomorrow and runs until September 1. To vote for Miss Bowyer text 20MissWiltshire on 81118 or call 0901 293 7900 and press 20 when prompted.