SHE may not have ended up a winner but a young Basingstoke beauty certainly made headlines as she paraded in front of judges wearing a dress made out of copies of The Gazette.

Coral Richardson used her local paper to make a recycled outfit for an eco round in the Miss Hampshire 2014 competition, held at Alton House Hotel.

She said it took more than a week to create the unique dress, adding: “My boyfriend’s mum and I worked very hard, finishing the final piece the night before the competition.

“We used a variety of different ways of putting the papers together – staples, duct tape, stitching, super glue and Velcro.”

Although the impressive creation failed to win the 22-year-old a place in the Miss England contest, Coral raised more than £100 for charity, and taking part has given her a much-needed confidence boost.

The Basingstoke hospital health care assistant decided to enter the competition to try and increase her confidence.

She has said she struggled to socialise with friends. Coral does not drink because she has seen the negative effects alcohol had on a family member.

But there was no sign of her shyness when she took to the catwalk last Saturday and proudly showed off her Gazette dress.

She said: “I absolutely loved the experience of the pageant. There was so much support from everyone involved. It was something fun for me to do and I enjoyed every moment.

“I feel a little more confident in myself, and I had huge support.”

Coral raised £111 for Beauty with a Purpose, which is the official charity of the Miss World contest.

It helps disadvantaged children all over the world.

Coral said: “I will carry on raising money for different children’s charities, and will volunteer whenever I can.”