A King's Guardsman and serving British soldier has been crowned the new Mr England.

Manuel Alcantara Turner, 22, has proudly attended the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen's funeral and now has the chance to become the next Mr World.

He beat off 12 other competitors to take the title at The City Rooms, in Leicester, last night (Tue) after being whittled down from more than 150 entries.

Manuel is based at Windsor and joined the Army aged 16, saying it turned him from "a boy into a man".

Manuel, of Whitley Bay, Tyneside, said: "It's an absolute honour to win this. I will represent my country well and hopefully make everyone proud.

"I have been based out of Windsor with the British Army and have been since I was 16 but I'm originally from Newcastle.

"Since being in the Kings Guard I've been on ceremonial duties for the King's coronation and the Queen's funeral as well as the Queen's last birthday parade.

"In terms of actual soldiering I've been deployed twice to Kenya and have been training Ukrainians.

"This is the first time I've ever done anything like this, so I was quite nervous but I do think myself quite a charismatic kind of guy. 

"I know my work would appreciate it and I checked with them just in case so time of fwork will not be an issue [for the Mr World contest].

"In terms of ambitions, it's to serve my country. That has always has been my ambition and always will be. 

"All I want to do is lay my life down for England so I think that's pretty deserving for Mr England." 

Manuel competed in an interview, fashion shoot and a catwalk round, which was hosted by the current Miss England Milla Magee.

The lifeguard - dubbed the 'Cornish Pamela Anderson' - had taken to her local beach in the hunt for entries after the contest suffered a 'hunk shortage' early on.

Manuel will now represent England in the next Mr World final due to be held in Vietnam in November.