MISS North Yorkshire, Anastasia Smith, was runner-up in the battle to be crowned Miss England.

Anastasia, 21, from Norton, who held the title of Miss York in 2011, came just behind Charlotte Holmes, who had missed out on a place in the final three of the reality TV model search Britain’s Next Top Model and will now go on to represent England at the Miss World final in August.

The Miss England contest, which took place at the Athena in Leicester, featured 60 contestants, including the current Miss York Alice Czyz.

Anastasia’s success had parallels with previous contests. Miss York contest organiser Naomi Smith was Miss York when she was runner-up in the 2007 Miss England final, which was won by Georgia Horsley – also from Norton.

Anastasia said yesterday she had won the Miss Modelesque and Great Lengths Stunning Style awards during the four days of the Miss England contest, which came to a climax on Tuesday evening.

“It was amazing but quite intense,” she said. “We had to be interviewed, and took part in a boot camp, and a fashion catwalk show before the final.”

Anastasia indicated she might have one more go at winning the Miss England contest next year.

Alice, 23, said that taking part had been a fantastic opportunity.

It was also her second attempt at snatching the Miss England crown, having competed in 2010 as Miss Scarborough.

“I am not disappointed,” she said. “I’m so pleased for Charlotte, who is a really nice girl, very friendly and bubbly and a worthy winner. I’ve made some really great friends.

“The experience will stay with me forever; it’s a great achievement. I didn’t win Miss England but I am still Miss York and I am looking forward to the year ahead.”