Meet the brainboxes and businesswomen living in the UK — but from Eastern Europe who are battling it out to be the next Miss USSR UK

THERE is more to these beauty pageant hopefuls than meets the eye.

Revelling in the bikinis, high-heels and glamour on show at the Miss USSR UK final are a host of university brainboxes and businesswomen. One is a chess champ.

Hailing from Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Russia, they are among the contestants vying for the crown in the annual competition, which celebrates the most gorgeous girls who have settled in the UK from Eastern Europe.

Since the break-up of the Soviet Union and the arrival of the first mega-rich oligarchs a decade ago, there are now said to be around 400,000 Russians living in London. And there are more than 800,000 Polish-born UK residents too — a jump of almost 750,000 in a decade.

Hundreds entered the contest, which is in its fifth year, and now just a handful remain.

Each will be judged on their beauty, talents and cultural heritage at the pageant at London’s Troxy concert hall on Saturday.

Last year’s Miss USSR UK — 26-year-old Lithuanian Agne Skopaite — won £2,000 and a year’s modelling contract.

She said: “This beauty contest shows just how many people like me are in the country now.

“It’s an amazing honour.”

Here, The Sun on Sunday meets eight of the girls up for this year’s crown to find out a bit more about their lives in Britain.

Alina Yan, Russia

FIERY Russian Alina has just arrived in the UK and hopes to bag herself a rich Englishman.

The 26-year-old left her home in Sochi to move to London, where she plans to open her own beauty salon.

Speaking through an interpreter Alina, who is learning English, says: “I am living my dream to be here. Now I need to find the perfect Englishman to complete the ideal life.

“He doesn’t have to be good looking. Just rich and strong and someone who is never late . . . although I’ll forgive him if he’s super rich!

“I love the beauty industry and hope one day I will have my own salon. I would be very happy.”

Jolanta Wnuk, Poland

JOLANTA loves to be beside the seaside, so much so that she is studying tourism at college on the Dorset coast.

Despite dreams of modelling for Chanel, the 23-year-old Pole is happy in Weymouth for now.

She says: “I come from a little village and was really shy when I first came here two years ago.

“Now when I visit home my family and friends can’t believe I am the same person – I am not so quiet any more.

“I don’t plan to go home to live until I am at least 60. Everyone here has been so helpful and kind and I love my life here.

“My favourite thing is how varied and cultural it is and I love London too.”

Evelina Vasiljevaite, Lithuania

GRADUATE Evelina loves her full English breakfasts almost as much as she loves the fashion industry.

After studying to become a designer at college in Middlesex, the 24-year-old is about to start honing her craft as an intern.

Evelina, who moved from Lithuania seven years ago and now lives in Stratford, East London, says: “Alexander McQueen was one of my all-time favourite designers but I love all the interior design here too.

“I love my food so much and the choices here are brilliant.

“I’ve been hooked on full English breakfasts ever since I arrived and have them twice a week without fail.”

Victoria Kalnina, Latvia

VICTORIA, 18, has spent more than half her life in Britain.

And she dreams of bumping into Johnny Depp – however unlikely it may be at her home in East Ham, London, where she has lived with her Bulgarian dad and Russian mum since she was ten.

She says: “Although Johnny is twice my age, he’s very edgy and I like that.

"I love modelling and being in England. There is so much to do – the museums, parks and cafes.

“I never tire of London and I dream of entering Miss World and Miss Universe.

“I used to be a real tomboy but that’s all changed now. It’s glitter and sequins all the way!”

Anastasia Boil, Russia

MOSCOW brainbox Anastasia, 23, is wowing her new London pals with her language and chess skills.

She is a champion chess player and speaks English, Italian and Spanish, as well as her native Russian.

She studied management at London University and wants a City career.