A YOUNG model from Burnley has become a shortlisted finalist for a regional final of the Miss England competition, and if she wins, will go through to the national final in July.

Full-time model Layla Griffiths, 25, who lives in Blackley, was shortlisted last minute after two girls dropped out of the final stage of the competition set to be hosted by Genting Casinos in Stoke-on-Trent on 13 April.

Layla-Griffiths-Miss-England
Layla Griffiths

The beauty queen, who studied at Burnley College, is also planning to study environmental science at university in September.

She could go on to win the Miss England title but it isn’t the first time she’s entered the competition.

Layla said: “It is a ridiculously tough process. It’s really hard. When I was 17 I entered but it’s a lot harder when you’re younger because you have less experience, less money and less friends, so I felt like I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do for the competition at that age.”

It is her last chance to enter the competition as the age requirements are 17 – 26.

“Winning would be like a last opportunity for me. I regret not entering for the previous years and I just feel like it would be the last thing I could do and I could help raise awareness for whale and dolphin charities as well”

The event involves a publicity round, a social media round, and an eco round, where participants have to make their own dress out of recycled materials.

For the eco round, Layla is planning to make her dress out of old Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

Participants taking part in the Miss England competition are encouraged to raise funds for the Miss England charity, Beauty With a Purpose, to ‘use beauty for good’.

Layla is hoping to host a fundraising event on Sunday at The Garratt pub on Princess Street to bake and sell cakes and is also planning a fundraising online raffle with a photographer friend.

Those who donate to Layla’s fundraising page online will be entered into the raffle and the winner will receive a photoshoot during summer with the photographer and five edited photos.

Once the finalists are selected, Miss and Mr England will be crowned at the finals taking place at Resorts World Birmingham on 14 July 2017.

You can vote for Miss Griffiths here.

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