Forest Town student Leah Clegg (above) has clinched a place in the semi-final of the Miss England competition after success at the Miss Nottingham contest.

Leah, (18), won the beauty with a purpose crown at the Miss Nottingham final for her charity fundraising, qualifying for the national semi-final at Kelham Hall in June.

One of 20 finalists for the regional competition at The Village Hotel and Health Club, Nottingham, it was revealed Leah – a student at Nottingham Trent University who works part-time at Nike, East Midlands Designer Outlet – had collected more than £1,000.

She organised a charity afternoon tea and raffle, among other events, to raise money for Midlands charity Hope Against Cancer, which backs research projects into many cancers.

Leah, who thanked those who supported her charity efforts, said: “I couldn’t believe how much I raised and was so proud.

“I am aiming to try to do more charity events in the run-up to the semi-final. I enjoyed all the charity work for the previous round so much that I’m determined to repeat it.

It’s the most amazing feeling to hand over an amount like that to such a personal charity.”

Money can still be donated to Hope Against Cancer at www.gofundme.com/cwhtjbz3