A KIDDERMINSTER woman has been chosen to represent the area in a national inspiration pageant.

Stephanie Cochran, 22, will compete in the Miss Inspiration UK 2015 finals taking place in Newport, Wales, in March.

She will be competing against other girls from around the UK, from as young as six, and the pageant has no height, size, shape or weight restrictions.

The pageant aims to promote and celebrate the beauty of each contestant individually.

Miss Cochran, said: “This is my first pageant at the age of 22 and I do a job which is seen to most as a man’s job, I am a mechanic for Harley Davidson in Birmingham, and have been seen as a tomboy for a long time and I just wanted to show my more girly side.

“I started to think about entering a beauty pageant when I was watching a television show that featured Miss Gibraltar pageant and saw how much fun the girls were having, how confident they looked and that they were doing their part and getting their views out there and I wanted to be like that.

“I also wanted a way to get involved with more charity work and to help encourage women to take part in jobs and sports that are usually more male dominated.

”Once my friends and family got over the initial shock of me saying that I wanted to try something so different they have all been fantastic and have offered their help in the form of sponsorship, help with practicing and helping spread the word.

“I am very lucky to have such a solid support network behind me.”

During the final, which takes place on Saturday, March 21, the rounds include a choreographed opening number, an interview, fashion wear, evening wear and an optional swimwear round.

Each year the pageant chooses a charity for each contestant to raise money for and this year the director has chosen Ayla-Maes Three Steps Forward.

Ayla-Mae is suffering with a condition called spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. This condition means that she will probably not be able to walk and will need constant care for the rest of her life. Donations and more information can be found at www.gofundme.com/5fm48g

Miss Cochran added: “I would just like to let the community know who is representing them in the pageant and that I am putting my time as Miss Kidderminster Inspiration in good use and that if any local companies or charities have openings or events that I could help with I am available to lend a hand.

“I also want to get Ayla-Maes Three Steps Forward out there because it’s a small new charity that needs all the help it can get to help her.

“It would be overwhelming to win a crown at my first pageant and would mean the world to me. It would mean that if I can work hard and achieve this then others can achieve their dreams too. It would also be a great honour as with the crown comes responsibility and a lot of hard work in the upcoming year.”