Topshop's Andrea is Miss Black Country 2010

A Topshop worker from Wolverhampton has been crowned Miss Black Country 2010.

Andrea Sturmey believes that she now has what it takes to bag the coveted Miss England title in the next stage of the beauty contest.

The 21-year-old, of Cedar Court, Penn, beat off competition from nine other regional finalists at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday night.

More Miss Black Country pictures.

She said: "I feel shocked. It's just amazing. I'm hard working and determined, which I think makes me a good ambassador for the Black Country."

Andrea, who works as a sales assistant in Topshop, in Dudley Street, jumped out of a plane last week to raise £700 for the Variety Club as part of a sponsored skydive.

She cracked open a bottle of champagne with family to celebrate taking top spot in her first beauty pageant.

Andrea, who attended St Edmund's Catholic School, said she would like to do a degree course before pursuing a fashion career.

During the grand final, the girls donned one outfit which they had chosen from Beatties and one ballgown of their choice.

Between the evening's races, they answered questions from the judges on why they would be a worthy winner.

Miss Black Country 2009 Danielle Talbot judged the contest with help from Beatties department manager Jon Whitehouse and Kate Fuller, of Beacon Radio.

Danielle was a stand-in for Miss England, Katrina Hodge, who was due to judge the competition but pulled out at the last minute because of illness.

Danielle, 18, of Lauderdale Gardens, Bushbury, said: "I've had the most fantastic year and am happy to pass on my crown to Andrea.

"She's a worthy winner who had the right answers to all of the judges' questions."

Also reaching the final 10 girls were call centre worker Georgina Price, of Merridale Road, Chapel Ash, and nursery nurse Stephanie Hickman, of Pendeford Avenue, Tettenhall.

Georgina, 21, who works for Birmingham Midshires, said: "My aunty entered me for the competition, so it was a real surprise to reach the final.

"I've done high fashion modelling before but nothing like this, so it's been really interesting. I've had a great time and think the final 10 were really strong." Stephanie, 20, who works at Tettenhall Tots and hopes to become a midwife, said: "I never thought I'd make the top 25, never mind the finals.

"I think my short hair, piercings and tattoos made me a bit different to the other girls, which helped me. It's been a great experience." Organiser Amanda Thomas, marketing manager at Wolverhampton Racecourse, said the quality of entrants in the competition was stronger every year.

"It was great having the competition at the racecourse where people could watch two sets of beautiful fillies in one night," she added.

"I really think Andrea could be the girl to win the Miss England title for the Black Country."

Rebecca Marshall, from Rowley Regis, was named first runner-up and Abigail Knight, from Dudley, was second runner-up. More than 50 girls entered the competition, and the top 25 entries went forward to a vote by Beacon Radio listeners.

Abigail Knight, who received the most votes, went through to the final automatically, and the judging panel selected the other nine finalists.