A self-confessed tomboy is aiming to wow beauty pageant judges with a tin can dress and raise cash for charity at the same time as she claims a county title.

Lauren Wood has made it through to the finals of Miss Hertfordshire, which will be held at the Ibis Hotel in Stevenage on Sunday, April 26.

Each contestant will wear three dresses on the night including an eco-dress – and Lauren has decided to make hers out of metal.

“I got a load of used cans and flattened them out to make metal leaves for the dress,” she said. “It’s quite an original category so I hope it goes down well.”

The competition also involves fundraising for charity Beauty With A Purpose and Lauren, 22, has decided to host a number of activities including knitting blankets for homeless people to generate money.

The qualified mechanical engineer who works at MBDA in Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, said: “Knitting has always been a big thing for me.

“It’s something productive and might not be as fun as skydiving but it’ll probably help people a lot more.”

Lauren, her family and friends are inviting people to help them knit 14cm granny squares which will be sewn together to make blankets before she donates them to a local homeless shelter during an knitathon at her offices on Saturday.

She is asking people to either donate per square – there are 96 in a blanket – per blanket or just make an overall donation.

Lauren admits that before applying she never dreamed of entering a beauty competition and isn’t your typical candidate.

“I entered as a dare,” she said. “I much prefer steel toe-capped boots and jeans to pretty dresses and high heels.

“I decided to join after watching a documentary with my sister about Miss Black Country.

“She dared me to enter Miss Hertfordshire which I did and I managed to get through. Now I’m in it I want to do the best I can and hopefully raise some money for a good cause.”

For more and to donate visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Lauren Wood.