GALLERY The quiet seaside town of Frinton may have an image of having a more elderly population - but one of its more glamorous residents could go a long way towards smashing the stereotype.

THE quiet seaside town of Frinton may have an image of having a more elderly population - but one of its more glamorous residents could go a long way towards smashing the stereotype.

Joanna Peagram has been crowned Miss East Anglia and tomorrow night will be among the finalists battling it out to be Miss England 2008.

The 21-year-old, who went to Hamford Primary School and Tendring Technology College, will be supported by family including mum Sue and younger sister Claire at the final at the London Troxy in Docklands.

A beauty therapist at Debenhams in Colchester, Joanna won the title of Miss East Anglia on June 1 and said life had been “a whirlwind” ever since.

As well as still working full-time, she has been in a photoshoot for Hello magazine, given press interviews, and organised a fundraising night for Cancer Research which raised £650.

She has also been filming a talent DVD showing her singing and dancing which the judges who choose the eventual winner will watch tomorrow.

Having fought back to health from serious back and neck injuries in a dance class, for which Joanna needed 18 months rehabilitation, she said she was simply enjoying the experience.

“I am taking each day as it comes, one step at a time at the moment and just enjoying the experience I am having,” she said.

“Quite a few people have commented when I said where I was from but I am proud to be from Frinton, it is a lovely and quaint town.”