A UNIVERSITY student from Stourport is bidding to be crowned Miss Worcestershire after she was spotted by the tournament organisers.

Hannah Horton will be battling out for the title and sash at the finals, which will be held on January 10 next year.

The 18-year-old, who is in her first year studying PE and Dance at Worcester University, said she has never previously entered such competitions and was delighted to be asked to take part.

And, as part of the challenge and to help raise vital funds for the competition charity ‘Beauty With A Purpose’, she will be doing a 12-hour dance-a-thon at her university on Saturday, December 12.

She said: “I have never done anything like this before but I was approached about taking part and invited along to the audition and interview.

“I did some research about what it was all about and found that it is more than just a beauty pageant – particularly with the charity aspect.

“So I went along, had a great time and was selected for the finals in January.

“It feels really good to have been chosen, especially as I was approached about taking part and it has given me more confidence.

“With my background in dancing, I thought it would be good for me to do a dance-a-thon to raise funds for ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ and I will be doing it next month.

“I have also been very kindly sponsored for the competition by Dave Laman from UK Communications who are based in Heightington, who I’m grateful to.”

This isn’t the first fund-raising Hannah has done as she, her family and friends have helped raise more than £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research in memory of her beloved father Danny, who died from the disease five years ago, aged just 35.

The latest fundraiser saw Hannah take part in a sky dive last month which saw £2,000 collected. The family also holds the annual mud run ‘Danny’s Dash’ for the cause.

Hannah added: “I think it was the charity work we do in memory of my dad that got me noticed by by the competition organisers. It is a real honour for me.”

To support Hannah’s dance-a-thon bid, visit her fund-raising page here.