A WIRRAL beauty queen is hoping to empower women when she competes for the Miss Universe Great Britain crown.

Charlotte Hodson is one of 35 women from across the UK hoping to win the coveted title at the grand finals in Cardiff in June.

The 23-year-old – who was crowned Miss Cheshire in 2013 – is hoping her time in the competition will encourage other women to believe in themselves.

The final in June will be a three day event and includes an empowerment day lead by one of the UK’s foremost leadership coaches, a celebration dinner with friends and family, and a catwalk show before a panel of judges from the beauty and fashion industry.

“It’s about empowering women,” said Charlotte, who runs The Yog Bar in Hoylake with sister Steph.

“It’s a good way to get rid of our insecurities. These competitions are really good fun and they have helped me to grow in confidence so much.

“When I first started, I was so nervous that I cried when I was interviewed, that was when I was 16, but now I can go in and I feel really comfortable talking to the judges about myself which I know a lot of girls actually can’t do.”

Charlotte added: “You gain so many skills and friends doing these competitions.”

Miss Universe Great Britain is one of the biggest and most prestigious pageants in the world. It is owned by American business magnate Donald Trump and his previously been won by I’m a Celebrity star Amy Willerton.

In the run up, Charlotte will be tasked with a series of challenges and fundraising for Strongbones – a charity which helps children all over the UK with diseases of the bone.

She has been recording cover songs in the Yog Bar in exchange for donations and has so far raised £250.

Charlotte added: “I am the only girl from the Wirral in the past five years to have got this far after my interview and I’m really excited for the months leading up to the competition as well as the competition itself.”

  • To donate, visit justgiving.com/MUGBCharlotte-Hodson or search for Charlotte Hodson - Miss Universe Great Britain Finalist on Facebook
     
  • Text GB CharlotteH to 64343 to help herget a 15 point head start