Beauty queen's bid for title 40 years after mum

Vicky and Tabitha Bennett are the only mother and daughter to qualify for the final of Miss England

A woman who was inspired to follow in her mother's footsteps to enter beauty queen competitions has said she hopes to take the Miss England crown.

Tabitha Bennett, 20, was crowned Miss Blackpool forty years after her mum Vicky was given the title.

She is now Miss Lancashire, and will be competing against 30 others for the Miss England title - which Vicky once qualified for - on 21 November.

Vicky, 60, said: "The organiser went back through the records as far as she can and she thinks we're the only mother and daughter ever to qualify for the final of Miss England."

'Second-hand dress'

Vicky added they were "the are the only mum and daughter ever to do the double".

Tabitha said she was feeling "really positive" about the competition final in Wolverhampton, which will take place on her 21st birthday.

She said: "People think you just rock up on the day and you walk in in a dress, but it's so much more than that.

"There's an interview then an on-stage question if you reach the top 10.

"There's an eco round, and a charity round and a publicity award."

For her charity round, the fashion student said she was "really excited" to host a sold-out lunch for Beauty With A Purpose and Maggie's centre.

"When you're judged now, it's not the prettiest, it's beauty with a purpose - a girl that can do the right things in society, that can make a difference," Vicky said.

The pair are also very keen to use second-hand dresses and accessories, or make their own.

"The dress that Tabitha won Miss Lancashire in was £50 from a charity shop, but it was a £700 dress," Vicky said.

"We've had girls message [us looking] to rent it. It's a great feeling that we've done it without spending the money."

Tabitha added: "There are girls that have spent £10,000 but we've never done that.

"You can do that and still not win, and I think there's something really nice about winning in a second-hand dress."