A TALENTED teenage singer and dancer is celebrating a proud moment in her life after she was crowned Miss Worcester 2009.

Leanne Groutage has vowed to raise the profile of the city and numerous charities over the next 12 months.

The smiley 17-year-old of Holt Heath, near Worcester, beat off stiff competition in the final of the competition held at Worcester Racecourse on Wednesday night and will now go on to represent the Faithful City in the Miss England final in July.

Miss Groutage said: “I’m really shocked to have won but I’m really happy. “It means a lot to win Miss Worcester because I have always been around here. I’m a bit proud to be Miss Worcester.

“I’m going to do a lot of charity work and help out because there are a lot of events that need people like Miss Worcester to come along to help support them. I am interested in things like that, to help people less fortunate.”

The Worcester Sixth Form College student, who performs with the Harlequin Stage School and reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent last year, impressed the judges throughout the day with her relaxed and happy nature before belting out Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway in the talent section of the final.

Miss Worcester 2008 Rosabella Styles, aged 20, who was one of the judges, said: “I think Leanne will be a lovely role model. She’s very beautiful and she’s got a lot of confidence – her past experience on Britain’s Got Talent means she’s very good on stage – and she’s very good at communicating with people. I’m very happy to hand over my title to her. I’m sure she will have a fantastic year like I have had.”

Miss Groutage was born in Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester, and raised in Droitwich until she moved to Holt Heath, near Worcester, when she was seven years old.

Now studying dance, performing arts, sociology and geography at college, the self-confessed shop-a-holic has already won a scholarship at London Studio Centre Dance School, London, which she will attend from September next year.

Miss Groutage’s dream of becoming a successful performer has been temporarily superseded, though, as she looks to take the Miss England final by storm.

Current Miss England Laura Coleman, aged 23, also a judge, said: “I think she is very beautiful and she has very good stage presence. She looked really good up there and she wore a beautiful dress. She’s a very sweet and natural girl and very deserving of the Miss Worcester title.

“I think she will do really well at Miss England. She’s amazing on stage and I was impressed by her stage presence. All she has to do is be herself and enjoy it and I’m sure her personality will shine through.”

Meanwhile, Katie-Ellen Sinclair, aged 19, of Evesham, and Helen Cowie, aged 19, of Barbourne, Worcester, came second and third respectively in the glamorous contest.