A PENKETH woman has reached the quarter-finals of the Miss England beauty contest and is appealing to the hearts of Warrington people to help her get through to the next stage.

Amanda Doyle, aged 21, of Meeting Lane, was secretly entered into the competition by one of her friends and said she thought it was a prank when Miss England organisers called to say she had been selected.

The 5ft 9in brunette said: “When I got the phone call from Miss England saying I had got through to the next round I thought it was a wind-up. I was really shocked!

“I was invited to a photo shoot in Watford and my picture is now on their website with 27 other girls hoping to get through.”

The former St Gregory’s pupil, who has just completed a dance degree at Liverpool John Moores University, now faces the public vote and needs to stay in the top 10 to be put forward for judging.

The winner will go through to the semi-finals to ultimately be in with a chance of becoming Miss England 2009.

Amanda added: “I hadn’t really thought about modelling before but everyone used to say to me I should try it because of my height.

“This has made me think that I could possibly be a model but I would still like to audition for dances and eventually I want to teach.

“I am just tenth at the moment so there is a big chance that I might not make it. If I did make it I would be really glad that I got that far and I would really appreciate it if anyone can vote for me.”

To help Amanda put Warrington on the Miss England map text Amanda Doyle to 84205 or call 0901 6561500 and key in 02.

All votes cost 60p plus standard network charges.

Voting ends at 12pm on Tuesday.