A TEENAGE beauty missed out on being crowned queen of the catwalk by just a single point.

Pippa Langhorne impressed judges with her confidence as she almost stole the show in a swimsuit and an electric blue gown during the Miss Intercontinental Great Britain UK beauty pageant.

The 17-year old from Rainbow Hill Terrace, Rainbow Hill, Worcester, was runner-up in the contest, in London, beating off competition from more than 25 shortlisted finalists in her heat. Now she will go along to a further heat in London in September to try to win her place in the international final in the Seychelles in October where she could compete against some of the most beautiful women in the world.

Dark-haired, green-eyed Miss Langhorne, a close friend of Miss Worcester Jodi Edwards, said the contest was not only a test of beauty but brains too. The seven judges listened to her answer questions about herself on stage so they could decide what type of person she was.

When asked how she maintained her beauty she said she had a helping hand from her genes. She takes after her mum Karen who is also good-looking.

Miss Langhorne, an A-level student at Worcester Sixth Form College, said: "I'm over the moon. I think the judges were impressed by my confidence and the fact that I came across as really genuine. I didn't act as if I was there to win it. I was there to have a good time. The judges said it was basically a draw. There was only one point between the two finalists."

She has been supported by her parents who run Bridges Restaurant in Hindlip, near Worcester.