Beauty queen Hannah dives into competition

The former Miss South Yorkshire and ex-Wath Comprehensive School student has been doinning her flippers and mask in preparation for this year’s Miss Scuba UK, with the final taking place on August 19 in Sheffield.

Hannah (25), from Upper Haugh, came second overall in the UK competition last year but said she was keen to go one better this time around.

“I have decided to push even harder in an attempt to win the crown,” she said.

“Before I entered Miss Scuba I would have described myself as someone that was quite apprehensive and maybe had a phobia of swimming in the sea.

“However since starting to scuba dive I have a new-found confidence, and have completed my advanced diving qualification and dry suit qualification and dived in the UK, Italy, Cyprus, Egypt, Africa and Indonesia.”

The final features awards for charity work and bikini and evening wear rounds and 20 finalists will fight it out for the title.

The winner of the national contest goes on to Miss Scuba International, which hands the winner a dream chance to be the face of the scuba diving industry.

Hannah said she was desperate to win the title and help promote scuba diving as a way for people to boost their confidence and to promote animal rights and marine conservation.

“I would love to use the platform to speak out about issues such as shark finning, educating the public on sustainable fishing, and responsible diving practices,” she said.

“I would also love more women to give diving a go, as a sport diving is very male dominated and I am keen to show other girls what they can gain by exploring the underwater world.”