A HAWORTH woman has been crowned Miss Voluptuous UK.

Amy Louise Walker took the title following a virtual contest, in which she was up against 16 other hopefuls.

She also won five ‘side awards’, including Role Model and Miss Congeniality.

Now – Covid restrictions permitting – 33-year-old Amy will head to Nashville, Tennessee, in October to compete against Miss Voluptuous Queens from across the world.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed to be named the overall winner above the other amazing UK finalists,” said Amy.

“And I was extremely proud to be named Role Model by previous Queens.

“I’m filled with pride to help put the Keighley area on the map again, following on from Captain Sir Tom Moore’s inspirational effort.”

The Miss Voluptuous initiative is a so-called platform-based pageant, for plus-size women, which scores contestants on the work they put in and the passion for their platform.

Amy is a volunteer for Missing Peace Wellbeing and Support – a mental health charity – and her platform is youth suicide prevention.

She is currently fundraising to become a youth mental health trainer.

“My hope is to run out an affordable training programme to all schools and colleges in the area,” says Amy.

“Half of all mental health issues are established by the age of 14. I believe that getting the education and support into schools is the answer."

Between the start of the first lockdown and the competition finals weekend, she raised nearly £5,000 for various charities.

Causes to benefit included Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands, where her grandfather received end-of-life care.

She and her husband, Jim, cycled the length of Britain virtually and raised over £2,000.

Amy says she hopes to use her title success to further promote her platform and to continue to raise money for good causes.

“I’ve worked hard to stay active despite the pandemic and lockdown,” she said.

“I want to show everyone that we are more than just a body image.

“Size means nothing – what we do in life speaks more than what we look like.”