IT HAS been a thorn in the side of feminists everywhere.

But 300 hopefuls have proved the beauty pageant is alive and well.

Hundreds of people turned out to see Miss Southampton 2004 crowned.

Emily Roberts, 17, was plucked from 14 finalists, whittled down from the huge number of entrants.

She braved the traditionally hotly-contested bikini round and even tougher interview slot.

But this year's winner blows apart the beauty contest stereotype - in fact the would-be primary school teacher has never done any modelling before.

It was a first for the Itchen College student as she strutted her stuff at Jumpin' Jaks nightclub in Leisure World on Friday.

The glamorous event drew an 800-strong audience as a star-studded judging panel, including Saints ace James Beattie, sized up the competition.

But when the final announcement came, one person in the room couldn't believe it.

"I really was stunned, I had to do a double take when they read my name out and it still hasn't sunk in," said Emily, of Botley Road, Sholing.

"I've never done anything like this before and if you'd have asked me six months ago who would be Miss Southampton 2004 I would never in a million years said myself."

The tall brunette, who has a younger brother and sister, is studying A-levels. Primary school teaching, not world peace, is her aim.

"All my friends were asking me if I'd have to talk about world peace at the event, but we were given five questions about ourselves that we had to answer during the show," she said.

"I know everybody has the view that beauty contests are bad and backdated, but a lot of people forget the charities that the money goes to.

"There are also a lot of warm-hearted people involved and I made a lot of friends on the day."

The year ahead holds at least five Miss Southampton appearances, a heap of fundraising and, just two months away, the battle for the title of Miss England.

Emily will stand alongside scores of other Misses in Bournemouth this July when she bids for the chance to represent the country at the Miss World final.

However, she added: "I haven't really thought beyond tomorrow yet because this is so overwhelming. I just want to thank everyone who supported me, including my sponsors Daintree Developments."