Nicole Harris is a perfect Miss.

The 23-year-old has been judged one of the most beautiful girls in the world after competing in her very first pageant in America.

Nicole flew to Florida earlier this month to take part in the America’s Perfect Miss Pageant where she was placed in the top 25 out of 60 girls from across the globe in her age group.

But it wasn’t until she returned to the Minster home she shares with her mother, Emma, that her success finally hit her.

“You live in a little dream for the whole week and it didn’t sink in until I got home when I thought, yes, I did really well and I’m proud of myself,” she said.

“You are surrounded by all these beautiful girls and it’s just hard to believe you’re part of it.”

Her trip to the USA could also herald the start of a career abroad.

Nicole, who works as a dance teacher on the Island and for a Maidstone-based promotions firm, was spotted during the pageant by a large US entertainment company and has been invited for an interview.

She’s currently doing a part-time distance learning degree in dance teaching.

Nicole’s foray into the world of beauty competitions began in 2006 when, aged 16, she was crowned Miss Sheppey.

Since then the former Highsted Grammar School pupil has won various carnival titles in the UK and picked up numerous other crowns along the way.

Nicole, who is actively involved in the Sheppey Summer Carnival, said the world of beauty pageants had changed drastically over the years.

“You don’t just stand on a stage in a swimsuit,” she said. “Now they are much more based on your interview and being a role model and, with some, you have to try to raise money for charity or get points for the number of appearances you make at charity and community events.”

But it’s not the lure of glitter and glamour that keeps Nicole on the pageant path.

“To me, it isn’t about having a crown and a sash,” she said. “It’s all about the other things – being able to represent your county or country, doing charity work, meeting new people and travelling.”