A BASINGSTOKE beauty will compete against other young women across Hampshire next year to represent the county at the Miss England beauty pageant.

Nicola Ascroft will compete in the Miss Hampshire pageant next summer in a bid to represent Hampshire in the Miss England event.

The 21-year-old, who lives in Hargreaves Close, Popley, will compete against other young girls to represent their county across six different categories – Miss Hampshire Charity Queen, Miss Hampshire Eco Queen, Miss Hampshire Photogenic Queen, Miss Hampshire PR Queen, Miss Hampshire Talent Queen and Miss Hampshire Social Media Queen.

The winner of the Miss Hamp-shire crown will then go on to represent the county in the prestigious Miss England contest.

And, as part of her work to raise money for the pageant’s charity – Beauty with a Purpose – the beauty therapist and hairdresser will host a charity black-tie dinner on Valentine’s Day.

The event, which will take place at Sherfield Park Com-munity Centre, in Sunwood Drive, will see guests treated to a host of live entertainment and a buffet.

Nicola told The Gazette: “I found out just before Christmas that I was in the final of Miss Hampshire.

“Since then it has been an amazing feeling.

“I am so excited. I don’t know what to expect – I saw it on TV and thought I would give it a try.

“I have loved planning the black-tie event and I have now got a few weeks before the event to raise as much money as possible.”

To buy tickets for the event, contact Nicola by telephone on 0771 257 4089 or by email at nicola.ascroft@hotmail.co.uk.