A TOURIST town looks to have had its seaside sweetheart tradition safeguarded by a beauty queen runner-up.
MIss Prestatyn silver medalist 18-year-old student Kirsty Brookes replaces Elle Harrison, who relinquished her Miss Prestatyn title last month sparking an emergency for organisers.
Members of Miss Prestatyn's Management Committee were forced to act quickly when 23 year old Elle, crowned last November announced she was quitting her role following a change in career path.
Luckily for committee members Kirsty, who came a close second in the competition held at Prestatyn's Nova Centre, when offered the chance to save the day agreed.
Miss Prestatyn Committee chair Joy Williams said: “We called an emergency meeting to decide on our course of action.
“On no account did we want to abandon the Miss Prestatyn title so soon after its re-invention.
“We decided to adopt the usual procedure in that sort of situation, which is to ask if the runner-up would like to take over the crown for the rest of the year.
“I'm very happy to say that Kirsty embraced the opportunity with both excitement and enthusiasm, telling me she is looking forward to her forthcoming engagements when she will be proud to represent her home town.
“Although quite shocked by the sudden phone call, Kirsty was very understanding of our predicament, and accepted our offer without question.”
The Miss Prestatyn sash was only revived in 2008, following a long period in mothballs, after the former Rhuddlan Borough Council dropped it as one of their organised events.
The re-invented title is nothing like its former Beauty Contest counterpart, nowadays seen to be rather non politically correct.
Mrs Williams added: “Whilst it might well bring a touch of glamour to the town, it is perceived as an excellent opportunity to help in the promotion of Prestatyn as a holiday resort, for the benefit of both local business and holiday-makers."