A FORMER Bolton footballer is on her way to the Miss England final after winning the North West crown.

Christina Cunningham was crowned Miss North West 2015 at a glitzy ceremony in Blackpool at the weekend.

The 23-year-old from Kearsley impressed judges not only on the catwalk but with her work raising more than £1,900 for children's charity, Variety North West, in her role as Miss Charity Bolton and Bury.

She said: "I'm gobsmacked. They called my name and I had to make them wait for a bit because I was overwhelmed and couldn't move, I froze on the spot.

"My boyfriend, mum, dad, granddad, best friend, her boyfriend and two close family friends watching and they were in tears, and shouting and waving.

"A lot of the finalists said I had worked hard for it and maybe that's what the judges thought. There was a lot of hard work and determination."

A former Bolton Wanderers Ladies player for seven seasons, Christina was the first woman to work in the Sports Science Department at Everton football Club and assisted at the Academy Sports Science Department at the Wanderers for two years.

Christina, who is currently studying to be a teacher, was one of 30 hopefuls who competed in the finals for the North West title at The Sands Venue in Blackpool on Sunday [Nov 15].

The competition acts as a regional heat for Miss England, with the winner going straight through to the national final, and is decided on a public vote followed by a four-stage celebration catwalk judged by a panel.

As well as rounds in evening wear, sportswear and party wear, contestants had to create their own costumes for eco wear.

Based on the theme of 'a night at the movies', Christina opted to shun typical glamour in favour of humour, walking the catwalk as an English knight wielding a reel of film!

Contestants also revealed how much money they've raised for charity over the course of representing their respective communities.

Her fundraising efforts gained Christina the Miss Charity North West 2015 title along with her Miss North West crown.

She will now join fellow Boltonian and Miss Lancashire winner Lucy Physick, aged 22, of Westhoughton, to compete for the title of Miss England next August.

As Miss North West, Christina will continue her fundraising work, with a focus on providing more defibrillators for local schools and sports club, as well as raising money for the official Miss England charity.

She added: "I'm continuing with my charity work, staying true to who I was before the win, and will still primarily focus on Bolton and Bury as those places are close to my heart but as Miss North West spread out further."