Knutsford Beauty Queen in final of MS Great Britain Classic

Vicky Ellis, who has lived in Mere for decades, was a star of the national beauty circuit in Britain throughout the 1980's, including when finishing second and third in Miss Great Britain.

However, the 56-year-old, who owns a pram shop on the Wirral, said she is probably the least likely person to take part in such competitions, telling the Guardian how she was inspired to make a comeback after living through the pandemic and wanting to do something for herself.

Vicky Ellis is in the final of Ms Great Britain Classic Photo Andrew Collier

She said: "I first started when I was only 16 winning Miss Ellesmere Port, which is where I'm from, in 1981.

"I entered it at the last minute, because I was in the last year of school and I didn't want my mates to know.

"Then in 1983, I came second in Miss Great Britain, and then in 1988, I came third.

"And this year, the first time they've had a classic division, I'm hoping it might be third time lucky."

Vicky Ellis, left, after finishing as runner up in Miss Great Britain 1983

Vicky, who has two children, including a 16-year-old daughter who has just started modelling, explained how the pandemic had made her think about doing something for herself, and when she got offered the chance to return to her former passion, she decided to just go for it.

"The seed was planted really and it just made me think, I'm going to do it," she said.

"We've been at home for the last 18 months in our slippers and I just thought, it will be so nice to just do something for me and get all dressed up and have some fun.

"It's not far off 40 years since I came second in Miss Great Britain."

Vicky has dusted off her tiara at the age of 56 to make a beauty contest comeback Photo Andrew Collier

The classic division of MS Great Britain is open to all women over 40 and having now made the final ten, Vicky will be the oldest competitor when the event takes place in Leicester next month.

"I was a little bit weary about competing against women who are much younger than me, but I got over it," she added.

"Although it's no longer televised like it once was, it will still be live streamed.

"It's a completely different game from what it was, I've even been to two pageant training classes, which were so much fun.

"I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but honestly, if you met me, I'm the least likely person to do this kind of thing.

"I'm a very normal person and it really is such good fun.

"Some girls go to the gym, some go running, but I've never had hobbies like that, I absolutely love beauty competitions.

"I love everything it stands for, including the friendship and being with like minded people."

Vicky Ellis won a trip on Concorde after being named Miss Liverpool Echo in 1984

The world is a completely different place to what it was in the 1980's and attitudes towards beauty contests have also changed, but Vicky says they provide amazing opportunities for normal girls like her.

"We were treated like superstars back in the 1980's," she said.

"When we went to London for Miss Great Britain, I was only 17 and I'd never been there in my life.

"We were put up in the Waldorf Hotel for a week.

"I came from a normal family and it was such a fabulous opportunity that opened doors for you in those days.

"When I was named Miss Liverpool Echo in 1984, I was given a flight on Concorde as a prize to go and watch the Grand National.

"All the presenters from breakfast television were there, such as Anne Diamond, Nick Owen and also Liverpool comedian Tom O'Connor.

"I had the best day of my life, it was truly spectacular.

"I actually found my tickets the other day and it made quite emotional.

"At the time, when you are young, you always think you're going to have the world at your feet.

"Looking back now, I just think 'wow', I did that when I was just 18.

"When people criticise these competitions, what they don't see is the amazing opportunities they bring to people like me, who come from normal families."

Miss Great Britain and MS Great Britain Classic will take place in Leicester on September 16 and 17 and will also celebrate 75 years of the iconic competition.

Vicky Ellis is hoping it's third time lucky as she competes in Ms Great Britain Classic at the age of 56 Photo Andrew Collier