Last updated 11:15, Saturday, 24 May 2008

A COCKERMOUTH woman is jetting off to America after being voted the best-looking woman in Cumbria.

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Rebecca Hardisty poses for the camera

CFM Radio hosted a competition to find the best looking man and woman in Cumbria. Rebecca Hardisty, 21, of St Leonards Close, won the women’s event.

Rebecca is a medical receptionist in Hull during the week but comes back to Cumbria for the weekend.

The Cumbrian beauty doesn’t know when she is flying to New York but is excited about the trip. She said: “I was so happy to win the competition and going to New York will be amazing. I was allowed to take someone with me and have chosen my friend Tracy Parker.

“We will get to see the sights like Time Square and go shopping where all the celebs get to go.”

At the competition there were rounds where contestants were eliminated - a catwalk run and a memory test made up parts of the event.

Rebecca said: “Some parts were just down to luck and I was nervous but came through it well. It was more of a game show type competition than actual modelling.”

Rebecca didn’t even mean to enter the competition.

She said: “I was in Outback in Cockermouth for a night out when the photo was taken. It wasn’t great so I submitted my own. Things just went from there and now, thanks to the votes and the final I have been chosen as the best looking girl in Cumbria.”

As well as the trip to New York, Rebecca will also receive a style consultation and new style package from K2, Jane Street, Workington.

The final was held at Mood 2 in Carlisle last Wednesday and hosted by CFM DJs Andy Wood and Pete Moss with a champagne reception and red carpet entrance greeting the finalists, which were chauffeured around in stretch limos.

Peter Barwise of Whitehaven won the men’s final.