From left: CMS UK's top five - Simone Johnson, Shareena Swinscoe, Monique Nelson, Dominique Phillips Latham, Monica Walton. - Contributed

London's Leicester Square was abuzz with some of the finest young model aspirants of Caribbean descent in Britain recently as Pulse, in partnership with More 3, staged the inaugural Caribbean Model Search (CMS) United Kingdom (U.K.) finals.

In a packed, hip Central London night spot the Sound, contestants from over 18 cities across the U.K. competed for the title.

Sixteen-year-old Shareena Swinscoe walked away with the historic win and a chance to compete in the final leg of Caribbean Model Search Reality TV series to be held in Jamaica.

For Swinscoe, it will be her first time travelling to the island from which her father came. Said the Nottingham native who was moved to tears on hearing her name announced as the winner:

"I didn't expect it, but I am really happy. I put my all into this and tried really hard, I have always had a quiet drive. Now I am very excited about my trip to Jamaica and I am looking forward to doing very well." Swinscoe who recently completed her GCSE exams said she always wanted to be a model and decided that the Caribbean Model Search was where she would start out.

A career in modelling

With the success of Caribbean Model Search alumni, Jaunel McKenzie, Nell Robinson, Carla Campbell and now Gaye McDonald, it is no wonder the CMS is becoming th to which young girls in the U.K. aspire, with the hope of beginning a career in modelling.

The 28 girls made their first appearance on stage in crisp white tanks and pencil thin jeans to rousing applause from the audience. It was then on to the high glam, runway rocking designer wear from the talented young Brit of Jamaican parents, Gavin Douglas.

When the runway presentations ended, it was time for the top finalists to be announced. Simone Johnson, Dominique Phillips Latham, Monica Walton, Monique Nelson and Shareena Swinscoe were named among the top five by a panel of judges which included Pulse's General Manager Romae Gordon, Select's head of New Faces Sarah Leon, Pride's Fashion Editor Shevelle Rhule and Sensationel's Meena Pak.

After the competition, several family members and friends approached the judges expressing their gratitude.