A Westcountry teenager has proved beauty really is all in the genes after following in both her mother's and grandmother's footsteps to become the third generation of her family to become a beauty queen.

Christina Heller, 19, has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to reach the finals of her regional heat for Miss England and dreams of pursuing a career in the modelling industry just like her mother and grandmother.

Her mum Melanie started modelling when she was 20 and won 12 titles between 1969 and 1976, including Miss County of Cornwall, Miss Duchy of Cornwall and Miss Mebyon Kernow.

Her late grandmother Marion Arthur was also a model and travelled all over as part of her job.

Now the Truro teenager hopes to boost her confidence by being crowned Miss Cornwall 2010 in the final in June.

Christina said: "I have done some modelling before and my mum really enjoyed it too.

"It is a really great experience meeting so many people through the competition."

In her bid to win, Christina has set up her own Facebook page called Support Christina – Miss Cornwall 2010 competition and has gained nearly 100 supporters.

Mum Melanie, now 57, said: "My mother and I modelled for an agency and travelled all over.

"It's such fun and I have told her not to take it all too seriously.

"You have just got to enjoy the moment and what will be will be. It's lovely for her and will give her the confidence that she needs."

Christina, who suffered a potentially fatal blood problem as a child had an operation last year to remove a cyst from her throat.

"Hopefully if I won it would give other people the confidence to go in for it too and have more confidence in themselves," she said.

"I was self-conscious about the cyst when the lump was there because it was so obvious but I'm not as concerned about the scar. If girls do have scars it shouldn't put them off entering things like this. Just because people have had bad health it doesn't mean they can't do it."

Christina's mum believes her daughter's beauty and brains give her a good chance of making it to the Miss England competition and eventually to the ultimate beauty pageant – Miss World.

Christina is currently studying for a degree in psychology and criminology with the Open University in between working at her local shop.

Her boyfriend Peter Hughes said: "I genuinely believe that Christina can win. Her personality is even better than her looks."