EATING pie and mash seems a world away from the glamour of modelling but Charlotte Babington hopes to bring both together when she vies for a beauty queen title.

News Shopper: The journalism students plans to write about her beauty pageant experience

After growing up as a true London girl in Petts Wood she got into modelling while studying journalism at university in Southampton.

But she never thought about doing it professionally – until her mum entered her for the Miss London competition without telling her.

Miss Babington, of Sefton Road, Petts Wood, said: “I thought ‘Oh my God, what has she done?’ “’Why has she done this?

“Then I got an email saying I was through to the audition round and now I’m through to bootcamp.”

News Shopper: Charlotte Babington is hoping to win the Miss London competition

She is planning to write about her experiences in the contest and hopes her London roots and looks will see her through to the grand final on March 17.

If she wins there she will represent the city in this year’s Miss England pageant.

The 21-year-old said: “There is also no mistaking where I am from; my strong London accent gives it away.

News Shopper: Charlotte's mum entered her in the Miss London competition without her knowledge

“I am proud of my London roots, my grandparents were born and bred in Bermondsey and I was brought up with many London traditions such as pie and mash with liquor, along with a good understanding of cockney rhyming slang.

“My family is London born and bred and I have a natural curiosity to the diversities of real life, especially in London.

“Together with a journalistic mind it would be a fantastic experience to show that beauty and glamour is more than skin deep.

“True beauty comes from within."

News Shopper: Charlotte Babington is looking for a business to sponsor her

At the bootcamp on March 13 the Southampton Solent cheerleader will learn how to be a beauty queen including tips on catwalk and choreography, photography and modelling.

Before then she needs to raise as much money as possible for the associated charities Help for Heroes, Thai Children's Trust, Children With Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK.

And she is also looking for a business to sponsor her in the competition with the benefits to include the company name appearing on her pageant sash.

For more details about sponsorship and to back her bid for victory email charlottebabington@hotmail.co.uk

View more pictures of Petts Wood beauty Charlotte in our image gallery