A FORMER lifeguard at Highgrove Pool in Ruislip has made a surprise splash in Donald Trump’s Miss Universe competition.

With barely any modelling experience, Eastcote’s Emily Hill sent in a few pictures last summer and had almost forgotten that she’d done so when the call came to interview in February.

Now, Miss Hill, 20, has been invited to take part in the Miss Universe Great Britain beauty pageant on May 5, where she will compete for a place in the grand final of the competition.

Not bad for a debut beauty pageant.

The Pike’s End resident told the Gazette: “I just applied on the web for fun, I didn’t think anything of it. I didn’t have much self-esteem at the time.

“In the last year I’ve been building up my portfolio but I’d almost forgotten I’d even applied for Miss Universe.

“I have watched [the film] Miss Congeniality but that’s the closest I’ve come to anything like this.”

Miss Hill worked as a lifeguard at Highgrove in Hume Way for three years before she left last year to concentrate on modelling. She is also studying fashion design at Middlesex University.

Prior to the pageant in Birmingham, Miss Hill will be trying to seek a sponsor before three days of rehearsal.

“I can’t even think about winning, I am just overwhelmed to have got this far,” she added.