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Catwalk beckons for Miss Cheshire

by Miles Skinner
26/ 3/2008

STOCKPORT siren Victoria Pettengell has beaten thousands of hopefuls to be crowned Miss Cheshire.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the stunner, who at one point thought she’s ruined her chances with a risque response.

When asked which celebrity she’d most like a date with and where, the Offerton beauty chose Wayne Rooney in the Man Utd changing rooms.

"I was mortified," said Victoria, 20. "It was one of three questions and I just couldn’t think straight and blurted it out. Luckily, everyone seemed to find it funny."

Including boyfriend Matthew, watching proudly from the sidelines with the rest of her family and friends, as Victoria, a former Oriel Bank High student, triumphed through fun fashion, evening and gymwear rounds at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

A shortlist of 15 entrants competed on the day, but an incredible 3,000 applied in total. Victoria puts her trim figure down to an unusual form of exercise - pole-dancing classes in Stockport’s K Club.

"I do jog to, but it’s not as much fun," she said.

The second year Manchester Met primary teacher trainee also holds down two part-time jobs - one at Hazel Grove Flowers, the other at Cherry Top Nursery. And she’s not letting her head float in the clouds, despite winning a year’s modelling contract with Maximum Management.

"It would be great if the modelling worked out, but I’m very happy studying for qualifications that would mean I can follow my teaching career."