The Miss Glasgow competition featured a charity

Merissa Lennon, 24, reached the finals of various beauty contests over the last three years before finally getting her moment in the spotlight.

She said: “I have competed in loads of competitions, like Miss Earth and Miss Universe Scotland, and had a few nearly moments.

“So I was treating the Miss Glasgow contest as my one last shot and didn’t even tell anyone I was entering it.

“But I was over the moon to win and it still hasn’t sunk in entirely.

“I am so grateful for the support from my family and friends who have travelled around Scotland and the UK supporting my modelling career.

“And it has finally paid off, which proves the old saying ‘if at first you don’t succeed try and try again’.”

The Miss Glasgow competition featured a charity–shop round, which saw Merissa wear a dress made from wallpaper bought in a St Andrew’s Hospice shop and shoes purchased from Macmillan Cancer Support.

Both charities hold special significance for Merissa.

She said: “My aunt died of lung cancer a few years ago and since school I have always taken part in runs and other hospice events.

“So I was delighted to be able to incorporate both charities into my winning effort.”

The former St Bartholomew’s Primary and St Ambrose High pupil decided to embark on her modelling adventure after taking advice from her loved ones.

Merissa said: “My family were always telling me to get into modelling from a youngage because I was slim and tall.

“Then when I was 17 I made the decision to just go for it and haven’t looked back since.

“The Advertiser has followed my progress over the years, competing in all of the shows, and it is great to finally reach a point where the paper can report on me winning a crown.”

Merissa has been very busy since her Miss Glasgow triumph – and could be set to retire from beauty contests and concentrate on her blossoming modelling career.

She said: “I am constantly busy just now as I am holding down a full-time job too.

“Since winning Miss Glasgow I have got a lot more model-ling jobs and public appearances.

“I am in a few wedding shows in the summer and also hosted the Scottish Hotel Awards.

“I also won a sponsorship with Bycaprice Lingerie by Caprice Bourret – a role-model of mine – and after winning I have also been awarded ￡500 worth of underwear, a teeth whitening package and the opportunity to be an ambassador of Glasgow.

“Being optimistic, I don’t think I will enter any more beauty competitions and I’m looking to push on now with all sorts of things.”