A UNIVERSITY student from Poole is a grand finalist of the national Miss Diamond competition.

Shania Lockyer, a 19-year-old Commercial Dance and Performance student at University Centre Weston, decided to take part in the competition after entering Miss Dorset in 2018.

This gave her a "bug" for taking part in competitions similar to Miss Dorset, leading her to Miss Diamond.

Shania said: "I researched pageants that would best suit me. Miss Diamond is so family-orientated and it feels like I'm in a big family with lots of sisters. The fact that it's one massive family is what stood out to me."

Unlike other competitions, contestants are not required to complete rounds prior to the final, rather tasks are undertaken during the final.

Examples of rounds include interviews, evening wear, fashion wear and more.

However, Shania is keen to do her part within the local community in the run up to the finals through charity work and public appearances.

Since 2019, Shania has made nearly 200 public appearances in Dorset, in person and online.

She said: "Undertaking charity work is not mandatory but the two charities I am supporting (Samaritans and Wellbeing of Women) are very good charities. For me, doing these public appearances shows that you don't need loads of money to take part in a pageant. If you have a passion and a dream, that is very important.

"I try to do as much in my community as possible. "

Shania is also keen to dispute the opinion that pageants like Miss Diamond focus solely on physical appearances.

She said: "You don't have to be pretty or a size four with an amazing body to take part in this pageant. It is more about how you act within your community and how you perceive yourself. The competition focuses on your inner beauty rather than your outside beauty."

The Miss Diamond 2020 final, which was due to take place in May 2020, has been moved to February 20 and 21 2021.

To keep up to date with Shania and her Miss Diamond efforts, visit Miss Diamond Dorset on Facebook.