THE WINNER of Miss Dorset 2015 has received support from the AFC Bournemouth management and players in her bid to become Miss England.

Romy Simpkins, 21, who lives in Queens Park, met Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall and some of the Cherries stars on Friday, August 7, the day before their home game against Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.

Romy is set to head to the Miss England finals this Thursday, where she will compete against the other regional finalists in a number of rounds to win the title.

Romy said: "I went over to the stadium see the players as I support them and they are part of our community.

She added: "I spoke to the manager, Eddie Howe, who asked me lots of questions about the competition and wished me lots of luck for the finals. All of them were really nice."

Asked to describe what the Miss England finals involves, she said: "First we have got the bootcamp challenge, which is supposed to last around two hours.

"Then there is the eco round, which has a James Bond theme, so I have got my outfit for that and there's other tasks as well."

Romy said that since being crowned Miss Dorset, she has become a trustee of Dorset MIND and hopes to work with them to promote the cause, regardless of how the Miss England finals go.

She held a charity evening at Bar So in Bournemouth to fundraise for Beauty with a Purpose, the charity created by Julia Morley, chief executive of Miss World, which made over £500 and ran from Southbourne to Sandbanks, which made £170.

"I'm feeling very excited but also nervous. We also have to give prizes to a raffle in the finals and so I have been given a vase by Poole Pottery and some products from Dorset Herbals, who make their own tea, as I thought it would be good to take things from where I'm from."

Anyone who wants to support her bid to be crowned Miss England can text MISSENGLAND43 to 63333, which costs 50p per text.

For more information, go to Uk.virginmoneygiving.com/missdorset2015