Miss York Anastasia Smith prepares for Miss England contest

ANASTASIA Smith is making the most of her coronation as Miss York. Her diary is filling up with photo shoots, interviews, charity events and trips to the gym to get in shape for her next challenge – the Miss England crown.

“I’m going to boot camp at the end of the month,” says Anastasia (Ana to her friends), who talks like someone who wants to pack 25 hours into her day.

The boot camp is where the Miss England contestants meet for the first time – but it’s also run by the Army, so Anastasia is expecting to be put through her paces.

“I expect there will be an assault course, and things like that,” says Anastasia , swishing her mane of Cheryl Cole-like hair.

Her hair extensions and spray tan are the only two fake things about the 20-year-old from Norton, near Malton. Chat to anyone who has worked with Anastasia in the past and all you hear is what a nice person she is. “Genuine,” they say. “The real deal.”

She was a late entry into the Miss York competition after being “spotted” by contest organiser Naomi Smith (no relation) during a photo shoot with some entrants.

Anastasia was working for Estée Lauder at Fenwick and was doing the make-up for the shoot.

“I asked her if she thought about taking part,” says Naomi. “Then I went back the next day with some entry forms.”

Anastasia picks up the story. “I wasn’t sure, but all my colleagues said if I didn’t enter, they would enter for me.”

Winning the title at the final at the Royal York Hotel left Anastasia “speechless,” she said.

Life has been a whirlwind since. Anastasia gave up her job at Fenwick to concentrate on her new role.

A modelling contract is part of the prize – and a stream of jobs has kept her financially afloat.

For all her grooming and glamour, Anastasia is a country girl at heart, although she wasn’t always. She was brought up in inner city Bristol, where she was plagued by asthma, often attending hospital every week. As Miss York, she plans to visit schools and talk about coping with asthma.

“The main thing is to keep calm,” she says. “When I was a child, my mum would read to me when I was having an attack.”

Anastasia says her asthma is much improved since she moved to Ryedale. Horses are her big passion and she keeps in shape by riding her horse, Bonnie. She used to ride out for Kevin Ryan at Sutton Bank and her boyfriend of two years is local jockey Freddie Tylicki.

Her career ambition is to become an equine dentist. “I love working with animals. I think it would be a really rewarding job and help give something back.”

It sounds like the perfect answer from a beauty queen, but Anastasia has more. She has clear ideas about how she wants to spend her year in the limelight.

“I want to get publicity for different businesses in York,” she says. She plans to spend time working in different companies and organisations, donating her day’s pay to the Miss England charity of choice, the Variety Club.

“I’ll do anything,” says Anastasia. “From working on the bins to pulling pints in the local pub.”

All while wearing her crown and sash.

Anastasia believes beauty pageants still have their place in the 21st century. Undoubtedly there have been some changes: girls don’t always have to wear swimwear and are invited to display a talent during the competition (at Miss England, Anastasia will sing Far From The Home I Love from Fiddler On The Roof).

“I think they are a way to celebrate women, as well as our achievements and ambitions,” she says. “It’s also raising money for charity. A lot of girls don’t think about charity and good causes and it’s a great way to get us thinking about it.”

So she doesn’t mind being judged on her looks?

“I wouldn’t change myself for anybody or anything,” she says defiantly. “I am going as I am and if they don’t like it that’s up to them.”

Feisty talking, indeed. But given how Anastasia seems to win over everyone in her path, the word on the ground is that Miss York is already a favourite for the Miss England title.

Next stop Miss World? Don’t bet against it.

• Miss England takes place in Birmingham on July 18 and 19. The Miss World final will be held in London in November.

Thanks to...

Model: Anastasia Smith.

Hair: Ross Charles, Gillygate, York. Tel: 01904 621122.

Location: York Racecourse.

Clothes, shoes and accessories: Fenwick, York.

Make-up: Beckie Stirk. Tel: 07507 140721 (beckiestirk@hotmail.co.uk)

Assistants: Hannah Clugston and Natalie Vass.

Photographs: Garry Atkinson.