MISS Black Country finalists from Halesowen and Old Hill are running fundraising campaigns as part of their bids to win the title.

Leah Ratcliffe and Alex Round are vying to wear the crown and earn a place in the Miss England contest on May 22.

Among the tasks set for contestants, the teenagers have to fundraise for Beauty with a Purpose, which helps disadvantaged children across the world.

Leah, aged 18, who suffers from the painful condition fibromyalgia, is gearing up for a charity walk on Saturday, (April 16) starting off in Wolverhampton, walking a mile for every £5 pledged by Friday to her fundraising page - virginmoneygiving.com/LeahRatcliffe

She said: “This will be a huge challenge for me as I suffer with fibromyalgia a condition that will make the walk a whole lot harder for me.“

Leah is also holding a charity day at Oldbury’ s Masons Microbar on Saturday May 14 from with prizes, makeovers, food and drinks from 3pm until 8pm

Eighteen-year-old Alex is busy collecting money for the charity with an auction, raffle and plans for a bake sale and bucket collections outside markets in the area.

She also has a fundraising page at virginmoneygiving.com/AlexBeautywithaPurpose and has attracted sponsorship from Central House Fitness, of Netherton.

She said: “It is my first pageant and I'm very nervous but excited.”