A LOCAL beauty queen has won her fourth pageant title at a European competition, after battling through years of bullying at high school and having a learning difficulty.

Clare Hurst, 35 has been crowned Miss Heart of European Rose, winning her 4th title since she started in 2007.

The pageant winner from Heckmondwike has been interested in pageants from a young age and has pursued her dreams even after being bullied.

Clare said: “Growing up I was bullied for being quiet and keeping myself to myself. I didn’t have a very big circle of friends and my mum told me that I shouldn’t change myself for anyone.

“I knew that I wanted to compete in pageants and so I didn’t let it bother me and now my bullies have apologized for all the hurtful things they said.

“Winning this competition has proven that I am good enough to compete and it’s only pushed me to dream bigger. I want to compete internationally and knowing I’ve won this makes that seem possible.”

Clare raised eight hundred pounds for charity and helped in her local community throughout the pandemic by supporting her local food bank and making videos on Facebook to make people smile.

She added: “I’m so impressed by what I’ve achieved and all of this that has happened.

“Sometimes people can’t believe how far I have come, because my confidence had been knocked so badly due to the bullying but here I am.

“I have a learning disability and it was really difficult throughout school, but I want to show people that it doesn’t matter if you have hidden disabilities, you can still do whatever you dream of doing.

In the talents portion of the competition, Clare who was a majorette from a young age, still performs and has won numerous talent competitions.

“It’s unique, it’s a bit different and judges love it. I’m really passionate about majorettes.”

Clare works at McDonald’s on Leeds Road and is hugely thankful to her managers and co-workers.

“My manager has been so supportive and helpful and so have my co-workers.

“It’s funny sometimes people recognise me at the store and it’s weird but it’s fun at the same time.”

“This has been such a positive experience and I’ve really enjoyed it, but I just want to show little girls that if they want to do something they can, and I want to be a role model for them.”