SHE's not only Miss, but she's Miss Great Yarmouth!Classroom assistant Helen Avery was crowned by mayor Terry Easter at the weekend during a major fund-raising event in the Market Place.

SHE's not only Miss, but she's Miss Great Yarmouth!

Classroom assistant Helen Avery was crowned by mayor Terry Easter at the weekend during a major fund-raising event in the Market Place.

Helen, 25, a classroom assistant at Northgate St Andrew's Infants and Martham Primary schools received 20pc of the vote from Mercury readers and was stunned when she realised she had won. Nearly 600 voting forms were sent in by readers for the 10 finalists.

Helen, of Rollesby Gardens, Rollesby said: “I told myself I was not going to cry if I won, but I couldn't help it. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and to the people at Palmers who did my hair and make-up.”

In a close second place was Kelly Reeve, 20, of Siskin Close, Bradwell. The hairdresser got 19.7pc of the vote.

And in third place was 18-year-old Hannah Moorhouse, of New Road, Reedham. The beauty student at Yarmouth College notched 14pc of the vote.

The competition was part of a money-spinning charity event, Helping to Change Someone's Life Today, which saw hundreds of people dig deep to raise £3500 for Cancer Research UK and Children in Need.

People rubbed shoulders with creatures from another galaxy with Star Wars characters proving to be popular with children and adults alike. Stalls brought in a steady stream of cash throughout the day and dozens of people got a soaking in the stocks.

Later in the day more than 100 music lovers flocked to the stage to listen to local band Canine Feline perform. And in the afternoon crowds got to see the town's finest in Yarmouth's Got Talent.

Dance act Dance Trance entertained the crowds with a finely choreographed sequence, while rapping and break-dancing youngsters impressed.

The Auction of Promises including signed photographs of Lewis Hamilton and Bon Jovi and tickets to local attractions such as Thrigby Wildlife Park, the Pleasure Beach, Go Ape and the Time and Tide Museum.

Organisers Linda Sedgwick, Tracey Nixon and Michelle Ellis, were delighted with the event and have already started planning next year's.

Linda said: “We hope people had fun. Next year's date is Sunday, August 9, and we look forward to seeing you there.”

She added that day could not have happened without the support of local businesses and volunteers who helped collect cash throughout the day.