The 22-year-old model took the title after wowing the judges with her beauty and confidence.

There was also a runners-up spot for fellow Ponteland lass Annabel Dobson, 20, along with Faye Scope, 22, of Northumberland Park.

The event was organised by Tyne Tees Models and boss Lesley Lister said the competition was fierce.

"All of the girls were completely stunning and we had a great mix of judges. The competition could have gone so many ways," she said.

"Sophie was the favourite and she had plenty of confidence, which I think is what the judges saw in her.

"It was fantastic to see everyone's confidence grow and see them up there strutting their stuff and working the crowd.

"It was wonderful to see all the girls go from strength to strength and at the end I think I had a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat for every one of them.

"It was an amazing night and we raised quite a few thousand for charity."

Twenty beauties were battling it out for the title at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel, with judges marking them on appearance, personality and confidence.

Sophie will now go through to the semi-finals for Miss England 2008 for the chance to represent her country in Miss World.