A BODY beautiful fitness fanatic from Evesham wowed judges at a recent Miss Galaxy Universe contest.

Melinda Cooksey, of High Street, attended the all-female fitness pageant in October and was delighted to be named Bikini Diva and fitness champion.

The competition,at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, was the second fitness test of the month for Miss Cooksey, who also took part in the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation event, in which she came in the top 15.

“Both events were really good,” said the 29-year-old.

“The theatre where Miss Galaxy was held was full, that was really good to have such a big audience. The competition is fitness and aesthetics combined. GI Jane meets Miss World style.

“I was in the biggest category against about 50 other girls, but I won. I also won the fitness competition against about 80 girls.

“I was really pleased and shocked. The fitness competition is like a circuit. At the UKBFF there were 42 girls on the day and I was in the top 15, which I am told is really great for a newbie.”

After her recent success Miss Cooksey, who trains at Fitbox in Evesham, plans to carry on with the pageants.

“I have only been doing this for a year,” she said.

“It’s been a really good year for me.

“I am going to be Miss July in the Galaxy Girls calendar and on the front cover of a magazine next year.

“I really want to encourage other women in Evesham to get involved, so any way I can encourage them is great.”