OKEHAMPTON resident Alexandra Denman has added to her collection of beauty pageant triumphs with another prestigious award at a national competition.

In 2016 Alexandra was crowned Miss Most Pageant Potential at the Miss Natural Beauty competition and Miss Best Application at the Miss British Beauty Curve final.

Adding to her list of accolades, she most recently won the director’s choice award at the Miss Sensational UK competition.

‘When I entered three pageants this year I did not expect to win anything,’ said Alexandra.

‘Miss Natural Beauty was the first pageant I entered. It was a lot of fun and I loved every minute of it.

‘Winning Miss Most Pageant Potential meant a lot to me as it meant the judges had seen how hard I had worked.

‘The second pageant was Miss British Beauty Curve. This pageant is very close to my heart, it was my second time competing and it was the pageant that changed my life. It gave me the confidence to feel good about myself even though I am plus size.

‘I won Mrs Best Application, which again I felt really good about as it showed that my application was the best out of all the other girls. I put a lot of time into my application and I am so glad that they acknowledged that by giving me this award.’

The third pageant — Miss Sensational UK — raised money for Dorset Mind — an independent chari-table provider of mental health services.

Alexandra, who now works as a beauty fitness and lifestyle coach, said: ‘I myself have suffered with mental health problems and this cause was very important to me.

‘I actually cried in my interview as I am so passionate about helping people feel good about themselves — especially if they have low self esteem or any mental health problems.

As a result of her clear passion and desire to help others, Alexandra received the director’s choice award.

‘In my eyes, apart from winning, it is the best award to receive,’ said Alexandra.

‘It means that the pageant director saw something in me that the judges didn’t necessarily see. The director also gave us all small crowns so I came away with an award and a crown which left me feeling amazing.’

Alexandra said she would be competing at more pageants in 2017 and could not wait to see what this year had in store.