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Laura hopes to claim world crown

27/ 4/2004

ROCHDALE graduate Laura Shields is aiming to be crowned Queen of the World.

Laura, aged 22, of Westbrook Close, Castleton, is one of more than 50 contestants competing for the coveted title in Munich this week.

She entered the competition on the internet and although she was born and brought up in Rochdale, Laura will be representing Scotland as she has Scottish relatives.

Laura's good looks first caught the eye when she was 15 when she was signed up by top London modelling agency, Elite Premier.

But she decided against going into modelling and concentrate on her education and was rewarded when she gained a chemical engineering degree from Leeds University.

Laura is also a member of Mensa and has an IQ in the top two per cent in the country. Since completing her degree Laura has been offered work on television shows including MTV.

To earn the title Laura has to impress judges with her looks as well as her intelligence and if she wins first prize she will get a modelling contract and a holiday in Egypt.

She is being sponsored by Orange Homes, for whom her boyfriend, Oliver Lipson, works.