A WOMAN is in the running to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant.

Teresa Goddard, 28, of Westcliff, will be competing against 40 other women in the 2017 Miss Universe Great Britain competition in South Wales in July.

In the run up she will be tasked with a series of challenges and fundraising for Strongbones – a charity which helps children from all over the UK with diseases of the bone.

The event will also support survivors of acid attacks in India by supporting the charity Stop Acid Attacks.

The final will be a three-day event and includes an empowerment day lead by one of the UK’s foremost leadership coaches, a celebration dinner with friends and family, and a catwalk show before a panel of judges from the beauty and fashion industry.

Teresa said: “I am really excited to have been chosen as a finalist for Miss Universe Great Britain this year and will be doing all that I can in the next few months to prepare.

"Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and I think it’s going to be a huge adventure as well as a lot of fun.”

As well as the pageant competition, there are also three awards up for grabs, including for the finalist who raises the most for charity through the experience, an award for the most inspiring finalist who shows dedication to empowering young women and a Miss Universe Great Britain business bursary to a finalist who is either in or entering the world of business.

As well as getting the opportunity to represent the UK for around three weeks at an exotic overseas location later this year at Miss Universe, the winner of Miss Universe Great Britain will also visit India to support the Sheroes Hangout initiative which helps women who have been the victim of acid attacks.

National director of Miss Universe Great Britain, Paula Abbandonato, said: “Pageantry in the UK is more popular than ever before and we have the most amazing line-up of young women from England, Scotland and Wales vying for the crown this year.

"It’s going to be an excellent competition and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

Around 90 countries take part in the Miss Universe event. The dates and location for 2017 have yet to be announced.