SOUTH West College student, Seana O’Connor is the new Miss Earth Fermanagh.

The 19-year-old from Enniskillen is flying the flag for the county in the pageant that is celebrating “10 years of beauty and responsibility”.

The idea behind Miss Earth is that the winner will become an effective advocate for worthy causes.

Now having beaten off her opposition to claim a spot in the Northern Ireland final on July 12, Seana is basing her eco message on wildfires.

The travel, tourism and hospitality student entered the Miss Online Vote category to be in with a chance to take part in the Miss Earth Northern Ireland 2015.

If successful in the Northern Ireland leg of the event, she will progress on to the grand final in the Philippines in November.

Seven girls entered the Miss Online Vote, held by the Richmond Centre in Londonderry.

Thanks to the support of a strong Fermanagh vote, she made it through to the top three in the category.

The next stage of the competition was a telephone interview, which to Seana’s delight, she won.

“I was absolutely delighted,” she told the Impartial Reporter.

“I then got a phone call to say I had won the title of Miss Online Vote and also got my place in the final on July 12!

“I am the only girl from Fermanagh in the competition so I also hold the title of Miss Earth Fermanagh, and coming up to the final I will be hoping to attend schools, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the Northern Ireland Forestry Service to name a few to raise awareness on wildfires.

“I don’t feel enough people truly know how harmful wildfires actually are to our environment and also how easily they can be started.” Reflecting on her progress in the competition to date, Seana said she owed it all to those who had voted for her.

“I am extremely grateful and would not have got to where I am if it wasn’t for everyone who voted! I hope to do my hometown Enniskillen and also all of Fermanagh proud and I am extremely overwhelmed and delighted with the support,” she added.