'I'd only entered a few days earlier': Surrey accountant reaches Miss England final

A chartered accountant who has danced before the late Queen has reached the Miss England final just days after entering the competition.

Abbey Laveniya, 27, says she has made history as the first British Tamil woman to win both Miss Surrey and Miss England Sportswoman.

She was fast-tracked into the final 12 after winning the competition's sports round and will represent Surrey at the national final in Leicester on November 17.

Abbey, who works in banking audit at one of the UK's Big Four accounting firms, admitted she was stunned by her success.

"Honestly, I was shocked. I'd only entered a few days earlier," she said.

"I grew up playing tennis and netball, so sport has always been part of me. I'm a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and I honestly feel dancers are athletes too."

Bharatanatyam is a traditional form of Indian classical dance originating in Tamil Nadu, southern India. It combines intricate footwork, expressive hand gestures and storytelling, demanding strength, stamina, balance and years of training.

Abbey, who also incorporates strength training and Pilates into her fitness routine, believes dancers deserve recognition as athletes.

Her dancing has already taken her to some interesting places.

She has performed at Westminster Abbey during the Commonwealth Service in the presence of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and at Wembley Stadium during a visit by the Indian Prime Minister.

She also appeared as a Bharatanatyam dancer in the Amazon Prime film Picture This, starring Simone Ashley.

While studying at King's College London, Abbey led a student production involving more than 250 dancers at a West End theatre, raising £10,000 for three charities.

But she hopes her success in Miss England will help her achieve something beyond winning a crown.

She recently launched Beyond the Box, a women's empowerment initiative inspired by her mother, who contracted polio as a young child and overcame low expectations to build a successful business while raising a family.

"The inspiration is my amma," Abbey explained.

"Her dad empowered her to go beyond the expectations people placed on her, and she has always empowered me to do the same. Beyond the Box is about passing that on."

The initiative held its first event, Strong Her, on October 25, bringing women together through padel, sport and discussions about confidence.

Abbey hopes to expand the project both in Britain and overseas.

She said: "For me, beauty is what you give. My parents taught me that every blessing should be passed on.

"I grew up volunteering: at St Christopher's Hospice, at girls' orphanages, and teaching English in Jaffna. I've also used dance to raise money for charity.

"Beauty with a purpose means using whatever platform you have to lift other people up."

Abbey also created a dress from her mother's old sarees for the competition's ethical fashion challenge, celebrating her Tamil heritage.

She believes Miss England offers an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about beauty contests and the roles women can pursue.

"As a British Tamil woman, it means a lot to show that women from our community belong on stages like this," she said.

Looking ahead to the final, Abbey added: "For the final, I'm excited, and so proud to be representing Surrey as the final 12 across the nation in Leicester on 17 November."

The winner of the Miss England final will go on to represent England at Miss World.