A CORBRIDGE pageant queen, who was crowned in first place at an international competition, is determined to spread the word about a charity close to her heart.

Elizabeth Huly (25) came away from the Miss Carnival Queen International competition, held in Huddersfield last month, as the winner in the ‘Miss’ category.

The crime scene science student, who studies at Teesside University, has been entering pageants and raising funds for charities for several years.

Having moved to Corbridge last year to live with her boyfriend, Elizabeth wants to spread the word about the pageant’s charity, the Huddersfield African Carribean Cultural Trust (HACCT), among the people of Tynedale.

She has already worked with other finalists to raise more than £4,000 for the charity before the final.

She said: “The charity brings African cultural arts and crafts into communities to bring them together and support communities.

“So for me, being African, it’s important to bring my culture to other people and interact with them about it.

“I love Corbridge. Everyone is so friendly, so it would be nice to introduce people to it.

“The main thing for me is getting the charity well known and bringing a different culture to people.”

Elizabeth hopes to arrange a fashion show which would bring together both African and English designers, along with African Carribean culture and food, and is planning raffles and, potentially, a carnival party.