A BEAUTY queen finalist is hoping to put 'Leigh on the map' in the Miss Wigan competition.

Charlotte Rowe, aged 22, will be going head to head with several other competitors in the final on September 5 at the Britannia Hotel in Standish.

The girls will be judged on their catwalk performance in sportswear, party wear, evening wear and eco wear outfit – a round where they will make their own dresses. The winner will also be entered into the Miss England competition

Miss Rowe, who works for Sainsbury's in Leigh and lives off Wigan Road, said she never expected to get through.

She said: "I did hear about it on the internet but I didn't really put much thought into it. My friends said I should just do it as a bit of a joke really to see how I got on. I put it off for weeks and weeks and then just decided to give it a go and sent my photo in.

"I couldn't believe it when I got an email to say that I had made it into the final."

In the lead up to the final, the girls are asked to raise as much money as they can for Variety Children's charity — the competition's chosen charity.

Miss Rowe has organised a charity evening and raffle on August 28 at Lowton Social Club and will also be running the Wigan 10k in the next couple of weeks and a pub night in Lowton.

She added: "I have already raised over £300 and have climbed Sugarloaf in Wales, done a bike ride from Wigan to Blackpool, a car wash, and pub quizzes. All the businesses in the area have been really supportive, my local pubs said they would keep bottle tops for me for my eco dress and lots have donated prizes for the raffle in August.

"I am the only girl from Leigh in the competition and with the Centurion lads doing so well I thought this would be a good chance to put us on the map.

"I am going to be doing the sports round in my Leigh Centurions kit."

Tickets for the charity night are £3 or £5 on the door and include DJ entertainment and buffet.

To buy tickets contact: 07554042158