A beauty queen is preparing to sleep rough for charity as she battles it out to win the Miss London crown.

Charlotte White, of Ebury Road, Rickmansworth, hopes to prove beauty is more than just skin deep with her next challenge.

The 23-year-old hopes to go onto become Miss England by representing the capital city in the Miss World competition.

But first, she will haul her sleeping bag to join thousands of others outside The Hive, in Edgware, to sleep on the streets for a night and raise money for Homeless Action Barnet.

Miss White, who works in Borehamwood, said: "I’m terrified because I don’t know anyone taking part but hopefully I will meet some new people. I doubt I’ll be doing much sleeping.

"It’s going to go ahead whatever the weather - rain, snow or hail. And I am not the kind of person who likes being outdoors, I get cold even when I’m indoors and live in my pyjamas.

"But I am excited to be helping such a wonderful cause in my quest for Miss World."

She is no stranger to beauty pageants, having last year won the Miss Hertfordshire title where she raised £3,000 for charity - but hopes to raise £6,000 for Miss London.

Her sponsor for the competition is Agno Dental in High Street, Rickmansworth.

And later this year, she also plans to enter the Miss Hippodrome Casino competition.

She added: "Becoming Miss World is the ultimate dream. I adore London so I’d be so excited to be representing such an amazing city.

"The competition is tough but I know I am ambitious enough to succeed. It’s all I have ever wanted."