A PRESTON student is set to make her town proud when she takes her place in the Miss Great Britain competition.

Lisa Marie Ousby, 17, Longton, was entered into the competition by her gran, who sent a picture to the organisers in London.

Months later the unsuspecting youngster, who attends Runshaw College, Leyland, got a phone call from the impressed organisers, who said she had been picked as a finalist.

Now the stunning beauty contestant is preparing to strut her stuff as Miss Preston at the finals later this month at a top hotel in London's glitzy West End.

Lisa, of Poplar Avenue, said: "My nan sent in a photo, and it all came from there really. But I didn't expect any of this to happen.

"I'm from Preston, representing Preston. I'm not nervous, I'm just looking forward to it. It'll be a great experience.

"My mum is proud and my nan is ecstatic."

But like Penwortham model Jenna Fisher, who was recently selected as the new face of fashion house Prada, Lisa is determined not to let her new-found fame get in the way of her studies.

Lisa, who studies Advanced Vocational A-Level in art and design at the Langdale Road college, is aiming to go to continue her studies at university in Newcastle or Preston.

She said: "I am looking forward to it. But at the moment I'm concentrating on college and university."

Although talented Lisa has also worked as an extra on television's Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Brookside, she insists she has no plans to become an actress.

She said: "It's background work really, but I like doing it. I've met a few of the cast -- just brief encounters really. Background work is as far as my television work would go. I've seen how hard they work!"

Lisa's nan Ada Cookson, also from Poplar Avenue, said: "

Not many girls get the chance to do something like this.

"I sent the pictures off to the competition. Lisa said I shouldn't have bothered, because there was no chance that she would win.

"Then just before Christmas she got a phone call from London, saying she was in the finals!"

The finals take place on Saturday, January 26.