AN EDGWARE model is celebrating after scooping third place in the Mr England competition.

Suraj Unalkat, 24, now hopes to launch his modelling career full time after winning third place in the competition, held alongside the Miss England competition last Wednesday in Birmingham.

The Stonegrove Lane resident told the Harrow Times: “I'm very happy with what I did and I had a good time and met lots of cool people.

“All my friends and family have been really supportive and have been saying well-done for it.I'm hoping this will now lead onto some bigger and better things and help launch my career.

“If nothing else it's a good thing to have on my CV.”

For the competition Suraj, alongside the 11 other finalists, had to do several catwalks with different themes including tuxedos, gym wear and one with a cowboy theme.

He said: “It was a really good experience. I was more excited than nervous getting up in front of all those people.

“Because we were after the main Miss England contestants we had some good banter backstage and really got on well together.

“The judges said to me to stay in touch and they chose me to come third so they must really have liked me, which is a confidence boost.”

The former Mill Hill county High School pupil gets to retain the title Mr North London and won other prizes including luggage, gym membership, aftershave and clothing.

He will also have the opportunity to judge the regional heats of next year's Mr and Miss England competition.