Delighted Stephanie Mottram was today looking forward to a modelling career after being crowned the hottest babe in Essex in an Echo-backed competition.

Essex Babe - Stephanie Mottram Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

The 19-year-old pipped 85 other beauties from across south Essex to win the Essex Babes crown at a glitzy ceremony at the Ikon/Diva nightclub in Basildon.

A capacity crowd watched as the stunning sales assistant was handed her prize of a one-year contract with the Finesse modelling agency and a Club 18-30 holiday to Ibiza.

Stephanie, of Laindon, said: "I am completely shocked. I have never even thought about being a model, so now I'll just have to see where it goes."

Second was Mellissa Stone, 18, from Benfleet, and in third was Danielle Sollof, 21, from Bishop's Stortford.

Published Friday August 27, 2004

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