Five young ladies from Shepway, Ashford and Romney Marsh scooped the top titles at an international beauty pageant.

The girls, aged between six and 21, joined 80 finalists in Disneyland Paris for the Face of Europe and the World charity pageant.

The final took place at the Dream Castle Hotel where Nicole Hinson, 21, Sofia Mayers, 15, Amelia Woodward, eight, Leisha Huggett, eight, and Mylie Wood, six, joined finalists from all over the world.

Promoting the message ‘beauty with a purpose, the charity pageant encourages contestants to support brain injury charity, Headway and Pilgrims Hospice.

There is no swimsuit round and contestants are judged on deportment, manners, interaction, compassion, and inner beauty.

Sofia, who lives in Lyminge, said: “I had never done anything like that before as I am usually quite shy.

"But it has given my confidence an amazing boost and the girls I have met have all been encouraging and given me the support to compete.”

Younger sister Mylie, who also holds the title Minnie Face of Folkestone, said: “I loved going to Disney to see the real Princesses and liked raising money for our charity Headway, so that people with poorly brains can get better.”

Beaver Green Community Primary School pupil Amelia, who also came third in the world in her category, has also been raising money for Pilgrims Hospice.

Mum Joanne Woodward, from South Ashford, said: “This was Amelia’s first pageant and so I was shocked but so proud when she won.

“She has really enjoyed raising money and is excited about continuing to do that throughout 2015 in her role as Ambassador.”

Nicole, who lives in Lydd but works at JCB SEAT in Willesborough, represented the county as the Face of Kent.

She said: “Although I did not walk away with a top title, I did place within the top 10 out of nearly 25 girls and I am so thrilled with the outcome and so happy to have met such amazing people.

Gisele Buckingham, founder of Face of Europe and the World, said: “Pageants over the years have had some bad press in some cases deservedly so, but I am pleased to say people are surprised to find out that we are nothing like the stereotypical view of a Toddlers and Tiara glitz pageant.

"We are an English Pageant where girls are encouraged to be natural, friendly and supportive.

"Children are meant to be children, not little Barbie dolls trying to dress up like they are 18 and of course there is no better place to be a child and a princess than in Disneyland Paris.”

For more information or to enter for next year visit www.faceofeurope.co.uk.