A prison officer sponsored by Tyson Fury has won the Miss England sports round after conquering a Royal Marines-style boot camp.
Around 30 beauty queens swapped their high-heels for running trainers as they were put through their paces in the gruelling commando fitness test on Sunday (May 5). The demanding workout included shuttle-runs, press-ups, planks and squats as the girls completed to grab a top 12 place in the grand final of the beauty pageant.
Prison guard Melissa Butcher came out on top to be named the winner of the Miss England Sports round at the Heart of England events centre in Coventry. The 24-year-old is being sponsored by the Gypsy King at this year's competition - with the championship boxer now backing her to go all the way.
Photographs show ex-Royal Marine Lee Stuart putting the girls through a tough one hour fitness session before whittling them down to a top three. Melissa then won a final 1,500m sprint around the lake to beat off Miss Wolverhampton Sophie Dickson and Miss Liverpool Charlotte Grant.
Melissa usually spends her days on the wings of a Category-C jail in the north west dealing with burly inmates who she admits sometimes make 'inappropriate comments'. But last week, as part of her Miss England charity work, she even whipped 100 lags into shape by holing a three hour cross-fit workout inside the prison.
Melissa, of Lancaster, said: "The boot camp was really hard work and it was boiling hot, some of the girls were fainting bless them. I never thought I would win it, but all I really do is go to the gym and work, so I knew my fitness levels should be OK. I suffered with body dysmorphia and low self confidence when I was younger so this feels really amazing.
"I'm really delighted. We had to do an hour long session which had my legs shaking after doing burpees and squats and that sort of thing. I then won the 1,500 metre run at the end. I have also helped raise £600 for Balls To Cancer by getting prisons to do a cross-fit session at the jail where I work.
"So that was amazing to get prisoners involved in something good for a change. I hope I can go on to win the whole thing but I'm just happy to be there." Melissa says she wants to use her platform to promote women in male-dominated industries and to change the stereotypes attached to young women officers.
She added: "I entered Miss England as I want to show that you don't have to be 'rough and tough and big and strong' in order to do the job as a prison officer. There are many other qualities such as just being able to communicate and speak with people which help you be a good officer.
"I have worked for HMP for two years now and absolutely love my occupation. I want to break down gender stereotypes in male dominated careers. You do get the odd inappropriate comment from some of the inmates but you just have to tell them straight not to talk to you like that.
"Most of the time it is fine, although it can be a challenging job I love what I do. Behind the uniform we are still human and are just normal people." Melissa shared on her Instagram she was being sponsored by Fury this week and posted a video of him wishing her good luck in the Miss England contest.
Her brother is also a boxer who shares the same trainer as the Fury's - including Tommy, Walter and Tyson. She said: "My dad helped arrange the sponsorship. I know Tyson because he shares the same trainer as my brother. It is amazing to have the support of someone like him. He's local to us and obviously a big name. I suppose its quite fitting that I won the sports round."
Melissa will now hang up her keys and handcuffs to don a ball gown and high heels when she takes to the stage as a beauty queen at grand final this month. She added: "I'm the girliest-girl you can ever imagine despite spending all day in boots and trousers. I do love to dress-up - hair, make-up, the lot, so I'm excited. If I was to win the title of Miss England 2024 I would say I would still stay working within the prison service purely because I enjoy it so much and want to help others become the best they can.
Mellissa will compete at the Miss England national final on May 16-17 at the Grand Station, Wolverhampton. The winner of Miss England 2024 will go forward to 72nd edition of Miss World.