A MISS Essex contestant is hoping that real-life experiences will give her an edge against other girls in the competition.
Alex Jenkins, 18, of Bunters Lane, Great Leighs, will be taking on girls from across the county at Brentwood's Sugar Hut at the weekend for the chance to compete in Miss England.
Many celebrities are expected to be in attendance and Katie Price, aka Jordan, will be one of the judges.
Alex is a marketing account executive for a firm in London and believes these achievements at such a young age are rare among her peer group.
She said: "I think I have a strong work ethic. I believe you can't get anything you haven't worked hard for. I work hard and I'm very ambitions.
"I think I've shown that through the money I've helped raise for charity.
"I've only just turned 18 and a lot of people I went to school with aren't really doing much, whereas I'm up in the city five days a week.
"I left school and went to college but decided this really wasn't for me and went to work with my mum as a childcare assistant, then started an apprenticeship."
Alex won the Miss Charity title at Miss Teen UK for her charity work, which involved organising a number of fundraisers including a 'Waxing Hell' event.
"One guy had his eyebrows waxed off completely, as well as legs, arms. It was for 'Beauty for a Cause', and it raises money for charity from these competitions. I've had experience in pageants last year so I'm really looking forward to it and think I have a good chance of winning," added Alex.
