Student sets sights on Miss England final

Jessica Pliskin is one of 40 finalists in the Miss England contest

A university student who has reached the final of the Miss England competition said she would use the platform to promote women working in science.

Jessica Pliskin, a 22-year-old physics student at the University of Bristol, said women were "really under-represented" in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem).

Ms Pliskin, who is from London, beat 5,000 other contestants to reach the final 40 in the Miss England competition.

She added she felt "ecstatic" ahead of the final which takes place next month. It will include a series of challenges focused on sustainable fashion, sports and charity.

Reflecting on her competition progress, Ms Pliskin said: "I was slightly jumping up and down on the stage as I couldn't contain my excitement."

She added: "There are many things the judges are looking at to pick the next Miss England."

Among her interests, she recently completed a skydive in Spain to raise money for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

Ms Pliskin added she has been "overwhelmed" by the support she has received from her family and friends who backed her during the competition.

Ms Pliskin said she is "ecstatic" to be in the final

Her mum died two years ago but she said she continued to also feel her presence in everything she achieved.

"The reaction has been so nice. I am so lucky to have such supportive family and friends," Ms Pliskin said.

"My best friend and her mum even came to support me at the semi-finals.

"My dad also came to the semi-finals and he was so proud of me he was crying," she added.

The Miss England final will be held in Wolverhampton on 16-17 May.