BEAUTY and confidence doesn't always go hand in hand. Just ask this year's newly crowned Face of Plymouth queen Hayley Morse.

The stunning brunette, whose distinctive look can be attributed to her Indian grandmother Cindy, admits to being a shy youngster who spent most of her time with her mum.

"I was the quietest person you could possibly meet at school," said the 19-year-old.

"When I was younger and really quiet me and my mum did everything together. We are really close. I even took her to the Face of Plymouth semi-final party instead of a friend."

Not only has the competition given Hayley a massive confidence boost, it also helped her find Mr Right in the guise of 2008 Face finalist Ashley Eslick.

"We've been going out for about two weeks," she beamed.

"Ashley was the one who spotted me in Drake Circus and told me to enter.

"Winning was such a bonus, so much has happened since the beginning; I've built up my confidence, I met Ashley – and I won!"

Despite being announced as the winner, alongside 24-year-old Paul Nicholson less than a week ago, Hayley is already big news.

"I work in Next and people have been coming in and saying 'look there's the Face of Plymouth'. It is pretty surreal."

The pretty teen is now hoping that her new found celebrity status will propel her on the road to acting stardom.

She has already completed a BTEC in Performing Arts at Eggbuckland Community College, receiving two distinctions, as well as numerous other acting and dance awards.

"I would love to mix acting on TV and in the theatre with modelling," she said.

"I started performing when I was four and I've taken part in lots of drama and dance festivals. At the moment I am rehearsing for 42nd Street with the Plymouth Theatre Company."

But for now she is happy to throw herself into the busy life of a Face of Plymouth winner.

Revealing that her favourite wardrobe must-have is a pair of skinny jeans, Hayley also has a soft, girly side.

"I wear what I feel comfortable in," she said.

"I do like to look nice and girly and I wear lots of dresses and skirts.

"I like to wear summer things even if it is winter. I go to work and wear the brightest things possible because it makes me feel summery."

Naming Mary-Kate Olsen as her style icon, Hayley admits to the occasional shopping splurge with a soft spot for internet shopping site ASOS.

"My favourite company is ASOS. I love that you can see the clothes on models and see how the clothes fall on them. It does a lot of 'as worn by' clothes as well and sales, which is good."

And every Face of Plymouth has their own style secret, with Hayley never leaving home without her trusty lip gloss.

"I love modelling because when you have had your hair and make-up done and you're wearing a costume you can change character and be different," she said.

"When I saw the photos from the fashion shoot at Tinside Pool I couldn't believe it was me.

"I never thought I could take a picture like that."