A BEAUTY queen from Torfaen will take on a 10,000ft skydive to raise money for a brain injury charity this year.

Ffion Ami Smith, aged 20, will represent Torfaen in the finals of UK-wide competition Miss World Natural Beauty, which is being held near Chester in April.

The former Croesyceiliog Comprehensive pupil grew up in the Griffithstown area and has previously represented Torfaen in pageants including Miss Wales and Face of the Globe.

As part of the competition on Sunday, April 30, each contestant is encouraged to fundraise for the charity Headway, which works to support brain injury survivors and their families.

On the day, the Torfaen beauty will face off against finalists from across the UK, with competitors judged on their appearance, inner beauty, confidence, stage presence, commitment and “capability to fulfil their role as an ambassador”.

Mum Carol Davies, 49, of East View, Griffithstown, added: “It’s quite a commitment and she has worked really hard with the fundraising.

“I think a lot of people look at pageants and think it’s about dressing up and looking pretty but it's all about fundraising.

“It also gives these girls so much self confidence and I’m extremely proud of Ffion for having the get up and go to do it."

Miss Smith added: “Although freefalling 10,000 ft from a plane is one of the most nerve-racking things a person can do, if I can raise as much money as possible by doing so for such a great cause then it’s worth it.”

To sponsor Ffion, visit her JustGiving fundraising page: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ffion-smith-missworldnaturalbeauty-headway.