A beauty queen trained in self-defence fought off a mugger moments before her casting to take part in Miss Universe Great Britain.

Kirsty Grace, of Disley, Stockport , travelled to Birmingham for her interview with the national director of the beauty competition last month.

She parked up on a side street close to the meeting place at Jurys Inn, Broad Street, but as she locked her car a man approached her.

The thug began to pull her and attempted to grab her handbag.

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But Kirsty is a practitioner of Krav Maga, a defence system practised by the Israeli army, and also holds a blue belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Her martial arts training kicked in immediately and she was able to hold onto her bag while grappling with the attacker.

Kirsty struck him in the face and kicked him in the knee before the mugger fled from the scene.

Unfortunately the contents of her bag fell out onto the road and a passing car crushed her mobile phone.

Despite the shock from the incident Kirsty performed well in the interview and has been accepted as a finalist in Miss Universe Great Britain.

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Kirsty, who was wearing red four inch heels at the time, told the M.E.N she believed the attacker picked her out because she looked vulnerable and possibly an easy target.

The 26-year-old said: “Self-defence has been an interest of mine for many years and I want to emphasise to other women that it’s imperative to learn how to look after ourselves.

“I really believe the mugger thought I would be an easy target, relying on catching somebody off-guard or vulnerable in high heels - I’m pleased I showed him otherwise.

“Awareness of what is going on around you is so important at all times. Timing is essential, responding quickly but keep as calm as possible, all these things you learn and drill in training classes which helps you act under pressure. I then went to re-adjust my hair in the ladies bathroom shortly before walking in for my casting.”

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Paula Abbandonato, national director of Miss Universe Great Britain, said: “The way Kirsty handled the situation is a lesson to us all. I’m very proud of her for carrying on with the interview despite what had just happened minutes before. She only mentioned the incident when I remarked on the smashed up state of her phone which was sitting on the interview table.

“I hope other women take note. I think she’s a great example and shows us that we should never underestimate a woman or a beauty queen.”

Kirsty also works as a model, actress, stunt double and has recently launched organic dog shampoo K9 Organics.

Miss Universe Great Britain takes place on July 23 in south Wales.