A PROFESSIONAL dog trainer and walker is preparing to travel the world after winning this year’s Mr Gay England contest to compete for the European title.

Matt Rood, 36, from Brighton, was crowned the winner of Mr Gay England after a three-month competition which saw him work to promote equality for the LGBT community.

He is currently preparing to compete in the Sweden-based Mr Gay Europe contest in August, where national title holders will battle for the continental title.

Mr Rood said: “It is the first competition like this that I have ever entered and I am absolutely over the moon to represent England in Europe.

“I couldn’t believe it at first and was just shocked and honoured to have been chosen as the winner.

“I have lived in Brighton since I was a teenager and it really is a Mecca for gay people.

“So it feels great to have come from there and now to represent England as a whole is just amazing.

“The competition is really moving away from a traditional beauty pageant now and it’s all about what we can achieve with our charity work.

“It has really broadened my horizons since I decided to enter the contest after splitting up with my husband and to prepare I worked with the best local personal trainer to really turn myself around and work hard to focus on something positive.”

Hopefuls in the continental competition will be put through a series of rounds which differ from traditional beauty pageant challenges.

The rounds include a PowerPoint presentation by contestants to outline the aim of their main project, workshops such as living with HIV and preventing suicide, a variety of team building activities, interview rounds to scrutinise their work and even a written exam.

There will be no swimwear or catwalk round in the contest, which really changes the way contests operates in comparison with female events, creating a new perception of what a pageant entails.

Mr Rood added: “This year I will be focusing my charity project on helping Brighton and Hove-based fostering services to encourage gay couples to be able to foster children as I know these couples need as much support as possible.

“For me it is all about promoting equality for all and LGBT rights and I want to hold a number of events encouraging this.

“Winning the English contest has allowed me to start modelling and I was also on the judging panel at Miss Great Britain this year.

“I have already met Mr Gay Wales and Mr Gay Scotland and within a month we have become really close friends while working together

“So even if I don’t win I would be just as happy to see them succeed.”

Contestants will take part in a celebration that will be held at Pride Park in Stockholm during the Stockholm By Night event on Saturday, August 5.

To find out more about Mr Rood or vote for him during the European contest, visit mrgayeurope.com/delegates/2017delegates/england2017.

The deadline for online votes is Friday, August 4.