Belfast woman Gemma Garrett (25) beat off competition from over 50 hopefuls to finish runner-up to Miss Aberdeen in the final of the glamour competition.

But, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, she said it was hard to come to terms with losing the prestigious title by only three points.

"I didn't think I was going to be placed in the final 12 at all," she said. "But now I wish I hadn't been placed at all because I was so close. There were only three points in it.

"I'm so pleased everyone got behind me. I'm absolutely over the moon - but, for the sake of three points, it's awful."

Among the many celebrities in the audience at Grosvenor House were Alex and Calum Best - both of whom demonstrated their local links by giving the 25-year-old Budweiser employee their votes.

"I was happy they voted for me," she said.

"Everyone in the audience only had one vote, so it must've been the Belfast connection."

But, who knows, perhaps Gemma will soon be entering the world of celebrity herself - like Orlaith McAllister who won the Belfast heat of the Miss GB competition in 2006.

"I know it was a beauty pageant but I see it as being an ambassador for Great Britain," Gemma said.

"The whole experience was fantastic. I had a really good night and I made a lot of contacts.

"I also won some great prizes, including a Jovanini dress worth £1,000 and a pair of Rock Republic jeans."

She has also been taken on by an English modelling company - Neon Management - so the future certainly looks bright.

"I'm going to see how much work I get over the next 12 months and then I might consider moving to London," she said. "In the meantime, I have been asked to represent Belfast in the Miss Tourism World competition in Japan in November and I'm really looking forward to that."