THEY are the jewels in the crown of Cleethorpes!
The winner of the first Miss Precious Gem beauty pageant has been crowned – and hundreds of pounds have been raised for charity.
Organised by pageant queen herself, Jade Clay, 22, from Cleethorpes, the event saw 15 hopefuls take to the Beachcomber stage.
They were put through their paces, first with the before-pageant interview, then during the white T-shirt and jeans round, the little black dress round and the evening wear round.
But there could only be one winner and that was brown-eyed beauty, Reema Stedford, 18, from Cleethorpes.
Jade, who is the current Miss Face of England, was thrilled with the success of the pageant and has vowed to make it an annual event.
She said: "I am really proud of all the girls and myself too. I am chuffed with how it has all gone, especially as I did it within eight weeks.
"They all did really well. Some had never competed in a pageant before so for many it acted as an opener for girls who wanted to get into the pageant industry.
"Being in a pageant is a really good confidence booster. Once you have been up on stage and you have done it you feel amazing."
Reema wowed the independent judges with her beautiful stage presence but it was her personality that shone through the most.
Jade added: "I have not been told why Reema was chosen, but looking at her score sheets she did really well in her pre-interview."
The pageant raised £500 for Brain Tumour UK, Headway and the Rainbow Child Foundation.
Jade supports the latter two charities at the pageants she competes in, while Brain Tumour UK was chosen because her school friend, Casey Lee, 22, is battling her third brain tumour.
Sammi Dixon, 20, and Jessie Palmer, 21, both from Hull, came in second and third place respectively.
The pageant was well supported by local businesses, including La Flotte in Seaview Street and Spencer's in Market Place, Grimsby – who provided all the ball gowns – and online business, loulabellecouture.wix.com.
Jade added: "I just want to thank everyone who supported us. I could give a long list but it would be too long! They made the night possible."
