Beauties battle it out for England

Final line-up: Chelsea Collins (left), Leah Green (centre), and Samantha Freedman (right)

“I do think it the contest is superficial and a bit embarrassing. I didn’t enter it because I think I’m so pretty. I saw it as a chance to get my message across. The stereotype is that models are skinny and the whole size-zero thing at the moment is just so wrong.”

Vying for the Miss England title is not the only thing the women have in common.

Having both worked at the London Abercrombie & Fitch store, they are now pursuing fashion careers .

Ms Green, who graduated last year from the London College of Fashion, recently landed a job as a design assistant at French Connection.

Ms Freedman has completed an art foundation course at Kingston University and is considering a career in fashion photography.

She said: “A lot of people don’t know that the competitions are charity-based. All the contestants have to raise money for a particular charity.”

The finals of Miss England will be held in London on July 18.