A MARILYN Monroe-wannabe from Purley has landed herself a place in the south-east regional final of Miss Great Britain.
Personal assistant Bianca Mcdouall, 25, is hoping to be selected for the national final in Leicester on November 14 and 15.
The former Riddlesdown Collegiate girl said: "I have always fancied doing something like this. I've watched Miss World with my mum since I was a little girl and always really admired the girls in it.
"When I told my friends, they were loving it. It is just such a great honour to be chosen, even if I don't go any further."
Bianca's place in the south-east final represents quite a turnaround in fortunes after a period out of work.
She added: "I've been a PA since I was 17 but I was made redundant two years ago. But I haven't sat about moping.
"I've been up to London every day looking for work and now I've landed myself a job as a PA at a fantastic law firm.
"We all have bad things happen to us, you've just got to keep on going."
Bianca, who loves her day job and has no particular plans to go into modelling full-time, said she was nervous about her south-east heat, which takes place on August 31.
She said: "It's definitely going to be a nerve-wracking experience, but the organisers have just said I should be myself and let my personality show.
"My dress is really nice, so I'm looking forward to wowing the judges with that."
In the past, the Miss Great Britain title has been held by successful glamour models Leilani Dowding and Danielle Lloyd.
But Bianca is hoping to channel the spirit of a glamorous yet tragic film star into the contest.
She said: "I think Marilyn Monroe is absolutely fascinating. She's so beautiful and wore amazing clothes, but then she had the same insecurities as every other girl. She is probably my biggest inspiration."
To support Bianca, like her photo at www.facebook.com/MissSouthEastGreatBritain
