BELBROUGHTON TV and film production assistant Laura Beth Morgan has been crowned Miss Worcestershire after impressing the judges with a fabulous dress she created out of 250 scrap Christmas cards.

The 24-year-old spent four weeks making her full-length gown by cutting out circles from the cards and attaching them - along with 80 gift tags - to a borrowed ‘wedding hoop’ skirt and corset.

That earned her the title ‘Miss Eco’ at the beauty competition - and she topped it up by becoming ‘Miss Charity’ for raising almost £1,500 for Beauty With a Purpose, the Miss World organisation that helps disadvantaged children.

Laura Beth also came runner up in the ‘Miss Publicity’ and ‘Miss Social Media’ awards in the competition - all boosting her ratings up to be chosen the overall Miss Worcestershire winner at the event final, held at Sixways Stadium, Worcester, on Sunday (January 10).

“I am completely overwhelmed by everything,” said Laura Beth, who lives with her parents, Anthony and Karen, and brother Luke, aged 21. “I woke up this morning and it didn't feel real.”

She and 22 other girls in the final were picked out of more than 350 applicants and they sashayed down the catwalk in eco wear, sports, fashion and evening wear.

She had roped in her whole family to help her cut up Christmas cards on Boxing Day and the resulting gown was so heavy she says that, when she threw it on the ground to do a quick costume change at the final, it “looked like a huge octopus on the floor”.

Judges included Chloe Palmer, Miss Worcestershire 2014-15, Mr Worcestershire Dan Evans, DJ Liam Cash, from Youthcomm Radio, and reigning Miss England Natasha Hemmings.

Laura Beth has worked as a production assistant on programmes including Britain's Got Talent and the sci-fi film thriller She Who Brings Gifts, which is to be released soon, starring Bond Girl Gemma Arterton, Glenn Close and Paddy Considine.

Miss Worcestershire is the first beauty pageant she has entered and Laura Beth - a size 12, 5ft 7in girl who loves her food and often ventures out wearing no make-up - says she hopes to use her win to help other young people to have “body confidence”.

Laura Beth will now work on many events and for charities across Worcestershire while preparing for the Miss England finals.

Her progress can be followed at www.facebook.com/missworcestershire2016 or by visiting www.missenglandwm.com