A Bermudian model living in Britain has been accepted into a beauty pageant that could put her on track to represent England on the world stage.

Tomei Swan, 24, has become the first Bermudian to be accepted into the Miss Leicestershire 2023 pageant.

Ms Swan said that if her bid was successful she could find herself in the running for the title of Miss England — and if that is successful, the title of Miss World.

She said: “I’ve always seen the Miss England pageant, but to be running for it just doesn’t feel real. It’s almost like an out-of-body experience.”

Ms Swan added: “I’m the only one with a different background.

“Even the woman who signed me up was like ‘we’ve never had someone from Bermuda before’.

“I didn’t even think I could apply.”

Ms Swan, who works as a bartender and baker, said that she got involved with the pageant after seeing it advertised while doing a side job as a model.

She said that she modelled for almost ten years, first in Bermuda and then when she moved to England in 2019 for university.

Ms Swan said that because of her frequent modelling gigs, she was encouraged to sign up for the pageant last year and later became one of five semi-finalists.

The process, she said, was no cakewalk. It involved expert presentation and the marketing of personality and skills.

Ms Swan also had to find sponsors for her race to the top. All money raised went towards the Sue Young Cancer Support charity in Leicestershire.

“This is my first-ever pageant, and it’s very different from modelling,” she said.

“You’ve really got to show your stuff. There’s congeniality involved, and you’ve got to make sure your personality really comes through while still being presentable.”

Ms Swan said that her final catwalk will be on February 3, where a finalist will be crowned Miss Leicestershire.

The winner would then compete with other regional pageant winners for the title of Miss England, who will then compete in the Miss World pageant.

Despite the strong competition, Ms Swan described the group as “a big family”.

She said that the women were encouraged to keep in touch with one another and trade ideas.

Ms Swan added that she hoped to speak to Bermudian pageant veterans so that she may learn to better balance her poise with her personality.

She said: “I know that once I get on stage, I’m probably going to be a little too static and professional, so it will sound like I’m just reading off of cards.

“I want to make sure I can get my personality out more and let it really shine.”

• Brands or businesses who wish to sponsor Ms Swan can e-mail her at tomeiswan@outlook.com. They can also visit her GoFundMe page to help her raise money for Sue Young Cancer Support