A WOMAN who was bullied at university wants to use her new title to help others who have suffered the same issues.

Christina Loizou, from Shoreham, was crowned Miss Brighton 2019 at the Mercure Hotel, Brighton, on Sunday.

Now she want to use her role to empower people against bullying.

Christina beat 11 other women for the title at what was her third attempt to win the crown.

The 23-year-old said: “I was bullied at university in Loughborough. I was put into a class where people were quite unkind, I was quite low and it affected my grade.

“I was quite quiet and people didn’t seem to like the fact that I didn’t go out with them a lot.

“Bullying can happen to anyone at any age, it’s not just a school thing it can happen at work and university as well.

“My main aim is to get people out of their comfort zones and boost their confidence.

“The reason I was doing Miss Brighton is for the girls who don’t have the confidence to do it themselves to show they can.

“I just want to make a difference and this title will give me that opportunity.”

Christina has started an anti-bullying Facebook page, Stand Together Against Bullying, where people can go to find numbers for helplines and would like to start her own charity.

The solicitor’s receptionist was the judges’ favourite on the night of the contest, impressing in the black dress, bikini, evening wear and charity aspects of the contest.

After picking up the crown Christina, who went to Cardinal Newman school in Hove, said: “It’s going to be great to represent the city as Miss Brighton. I’m so proud to be from here, I’ve lived here my whole life, this is a dream come true.”

This year’s Miss Brighton contestants were tasked with raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

At the ceremony Christina also won the title of Miss Charity, having raised more than £1,000 for it over the course of the competition.

Overall the Miss Brighton contestants raised more than £5,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society this year.

Rachel English, 22, finished second in the competition, and also picked up the Miss Personality award. Holly Hoskison, 20, was third. Both are from Brighton.

Julie Bitout, organiser of Miss Brighton, said: “This year we have been completely overwhelmed by our finalists they are a special group.”