Will our Emma be the fairest in the UK?

WOMEN from Suffolk were once famously likened by one television pundit to looking like the back end of a bus.

But one woman from the county has ridiculed that notion by making tonight's final of Miss Great Britain.

Halesworth-born Emma Spellar was one of about 2,000 women from across the country to enter the beauty competition - which will be decided by the number of text votes each contestant gets.

The 22-year-old, a part-time model and beautician, was shortlisted for the final 12 competitors by a judging panel last weekend and now is hoping to clinch the title in tribute to her aunt, Janette, who has recently died.

Miss Spellar, a former Bungay High School pupil who moved to London earlier this month to pursue her modelling career, has been enjoying a whirlwind of celebrity parties in the capital with the other finalists over the past week as the competition neared its conclusion.

The publicity blitz culminated at the weekend when she visited Mercy nightclub in Norwich to encourage East Anglia to vote by text for her to win the Miss Great Britain title.

Miss Spellar - who runs a beauty business in Bungay, where her parents, Terry and Andree, live - admitted last night to feeling nervous about the final, which takes place at London's Cafe de Paris club.

"It has been so hectic over the past few days, I've got my outfit sorted now, so that's making me feel more relaxed, but it is very nerve-wracking," she said.

"But I've had very positive reactions so far and last time the text votes were counted I was actually in the lead, which was a bit surprising, although that could all change of course."

The winner will get £50,000-worth of prizes, including a holiday to Cuba, and will represent the UK in the Model of the World contest to be held in China.

To vote for Miss Spellar, text Vote 4 to 83211. Texts cost 25p.