Beauty queen Laura dives for success

The former Miss Intercontinental England was one of 40 women battling for the Miss Scuba UK title at Cutlers Hall in Sheffield on Saturday.

The five finalists will now develop their scuba diving skills with a programme of training and travel, including heading out to Paphos in Cyprus on Wednesday (Sept 9), before one is chosen to represent the UK in the international final.

Laura (27) from Laughton en le Morthern, who teaches dance at Wickersley School, also won the Miss Charity title as a result of raising the most awareness and funds for Deptherapy which supports injured ex-servicemen.

Laura said: “I was crowned a top five finalist so will go through to the next stage in the competition which will be held in Cyprus.

“On the night of the final I had a fantastic time on stage and felt like I had so much support. A group of family and friends came to support me along with some of my buddies who all gave me huge cheers whenever I came on stage. I felt like I had the whole of South Yorkshire supporting me.

“All of the girls were lovely and had worked very hard in raising the profile of the charity and learning about marine conservation and of course all looked beautiful on stage.

“When announcing the top five I was actually last to be called so it was a very tense moment for me. I looked at some of my friends who were already willing to hear my name called. Then I heard our host Charlotte say ‘the lovely Laura Gregory’. It was so exciting.”

Laura said that the Sheffield event was hard work.

She said: “The finals took place over two days starting with orientation, presenting our publicity and charity folders, and rehearsals for the stage show.

“Between rehearsals we were pulled one by one for an intense interview on diving and marine conservation with the head judge.

“Taking part in Miss Scuba has been an educational as well as enjoyable experience and I now feel more aware of marine life and why it is important to all of us that we all take care of it.”

Laura also met some of the ex-servicemen who will benefit from the funds raised by the contestants for Deptherapy, as well as doing a scuba review with Fin Divers and getting kitted out with wet suits and rash vests from sponsors.