A FORMER Chester student is celebrating after being crowned Miss Galaxy International.

Jamie-Lee Williams represented Wales at the international contest in Chicago and competed against finalists from across the globe.

Jamie-Lee, who achieved a 2:1 in Psychology at the University of Chester before going on to study autism and teaching in London, dazzled the judges when she competed for the crown, walking away with all of the awards possible.

She scored the highest marks in each category, winning the awards for best in evening wear, swimwear, fashion wear, interview and most photogenic.

Jamie-Lee, who lives in Oswestry, told the Leader: “It is absolutely amazing.

“I still haven’t had time to take it all in yet, it’s quite surreal, but I am so happy.”

As part of the competition, the 25-year-old had to make numerous local appearances to help promote events in local towns and villages. One of her final engagements before her trip to Chicago was to open Chirk Hospital Fete.

“I know there are people out there who think beauty pageants are a bit silly and pointless,” she said.

“But what they perhaps don’t understand is how much confidence they can help instill in a young woman and how much work is done promoting various charity organisations.”

Holly Ikin, director of Miss Galaxy in the UK, said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Jamie-Lee. She worked very hard for this and deserves all her success.

“She is a joy to work with and she is going to be a very successful. Jamie-Lee is now in the history books as the first Welsh winner of Miss Galaxy International and the people of Wales should be very proud of her success.”