A BEAUTY queen is running the London Marathon to prove pageants are about more than just catwalks.

Claire Winters, from Braintree, has been in beauty pageants for six years, although this year she is hoping for a different title.

She will be representing Essex in the Miss Inspiration UK final in Wales on Friday, April 8.

As part of the pageant, she has been doing charity work and fundraising, and also plans to run the marathon.

The 26-year-old flight attendant, from Malyon Close, said: "I will be changing my pageant shoes for running shoes as I have always wanted to run for charity.

"I haven't really done anything like this before. I think what gets you through it is that you aren't doing it for yourself, you are doing it for charity, which has always been on my bucket list."

"The pageant isn't looking for someone who looks pretty on a catwalk. Training has been hard, especially after coming home from long flights, but it's rewarding so I just get on and do it."

She will be running for the Starlight Children's Foundation, a charity that entertains children with illnesses in hospital and makes their wish come true.

To donate to her fundraising page, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/clairemariawinters