A LOWER Gornal beauty queen has sashayed her way to the semi-finals of the Miss England competition.

Alex Robbins was a finalists in this year's Miss Black Country contest, held at The Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Sunday.

She lost out on the top title to Abigail Cutler from Rowley Regis but was the second runner up.

Luckily for the 24-year-old, the Miss England Organisation gave the two runners-up another chance, by handing them a place in the Miss England semi-finals on June 11.

The self-employed horse groom said: "I am really looking forward to the semi finals to meet some new people and get the chance to swap my wellies for heels one more time."

Alex, who lives in Gideons Close, must now get to work creating a dress made out of recycled material and continue to raise cash for the Beauty With a Purpose charity, which helps disadvantaged children.

To help Alex boost her total, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alexrobbins.