PRINCESS Nicola is playing royalty for the next year but she's more used to tackling a different kind of challenge.

For the 12-year-old who was crowned market Princess at Admiral's Market Place, Nelson, is also a keen rugby player.

Nicola Simpson, a member of the Pendle Panthers girls' Rugby League squad, scored a success by being chosen to represent the market at a competition for girls aged eight to 14 on Friday.

Nicola, of Barrowford, said: "I went in for it last year but didn't win. This time I made it and I'm really pleased. I'm looking forward to the next year."

The Fisher-More High School pupil, Colne, who borrowed her sister's dress for the competition, said she had expected her friend to win and was astonished when she heard her own name called.

She was crowned by retiring princess Nicola Harrison, also 12, who served on the panel of judges. As well as a crown she also got a T-shirt and a present. She said: "It was really scary when I had to stand up and I was shaking like mad. But it's more scary when you tackle someone in rugby because then you know you might get hurt badly."

Nicola first became interested when a coach visited her school to give a demonstration of tag rugby, and she joined the squad with her two sisters Rachel, 15, and Danielle, 14, a year ago.

Danielle will be representing Lancashire as a member of the under-14 squad in the Millennium Youth Games in Southampton later this year.

But the rough and tumble on the pitch doesn't seem unfeminine to this young beauty queen, who was also gala princess at the annual fete at Pendle Community Hospital, Nelson, when she was nine.

She said: "Everyone thinks it's all boys' stuff but I don't think so.

"I always wear skirts for school not trousers, and I don't think anyone would say I was a tomboy. I like going in for competitions and playing rugby, they are both really good."

Steve Swann, Pendle Panthers coach, said Nicola was already making her mark as a tough player.

He said: "She's got more confidence in the last few tournaments and I expect her to have a good season this year."

Picture: Nicola gets stuck in on the rugby pitch (left), but is all ready for her new duties after being crowned by retiring princess Nicola Harrison, 12, at Admiral's Market Place.