A woman who has used her love of sport to raise nearly £10,000 for charity has won a place in the semi-final of Miss England.

Holly Worthington from Garston will compete against women from across the country in Nottingham on May 19.

The penultimate round of the competition will involve an evening dress round, a sportswear round and a skill demonstration.

The 21-year-old, who describes herself as "not a typical girly girl", said she would either showcase her freestyle football skills or possibly play the guitar.

Ms Worthington said: "I applied after I was told about it by a modelling scout.

"I didn't expect to get far in it at all so this has come as a real surprise - I spend most of my time mountain biking and playing football.

"I was really surprised when I won the public voting, especially since I'm a lot shorter than the other contestants, I'm only 5'3".

"I'm so excited but am getting more and more nervous."

Ms Worthington works in a daycare nursery and spends her free time fundraising for charities through sport.

At 16, she became the youngest woman to cycle the length of the UK in less than 12 days, in aid of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

In 2012 the Watford Observer reported how Ms Worthington had been nominated by a friend to carry the Olympic torch.

After running a leg in Basildon, on July 6, Ms Worthington took the torch to The Monday Club in Abbots Langley, a group for adults with disabilities, where she volunteered at the time.

As well as completing the London Marathon, Ms Worthington completed 42 different obstacle races in 2013, and has raised more than £9,000 for charity.

She also hosts and produces her own show on Watford Hospital Radio, to help entertain patients.

The Miss England contest describes itself as "not just a beauty contest", emphasising the importance of being "talented, sporty and charitable".