A BATTERED 50-year-old dress and committed charity work won a Chester beauty the chance to be Miss England.

The 12 finalists at Miss Chester 2009 had to don recycled clothing for the final round of the competition, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Entrants chose hand-me-downs from mothers and grandmothers, something made from recycled materials or clothes bought from a charity shop to impress the judges.

Handbridge’s Lucy Adams, 20, of Castle View, scooped the prized top spot and fittingly celebrated with her mother and both grandmothers.

Lucy, originally from Wigan, explained the story behind her outfit, which impressed the judges: “I wore a vintage 1950s ball gown that I’d bought from Oxfam. It was all falling to pieces so me and my mum repaired it.”

The keen drummer, who volunteers at an Oxfam store in Crewe, will go through to the semi final of Miss England at Champneys Springs in Leicestershire on June 8 after triumphing at her first attempt.

Lucy said: “It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this before and it was a really nice surprise to win.

“My mum kept saying I should do something like this.

All my family have always said I should go into modelling or some sort of beauty contest.”

She studies at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Crewe campus and hopes to become a ‘visual merchandiser’ for Harrods, the famous London department store .

Her prize also includes a night in the Crowne Plaza, a bag full of make-up, a photoshoot and mini portfolio, an evening gown made especially for her and travel goods.

Lucy, whose grandmother and grandfather both have cancer, is keen to continue her charity work, especially for cancer charities close to her heart.

The popularity vote winner on the night was singer Laura McLoughlin, 18, who is automatically placed into the popularity contest for another chance to win a place in the final.

Law student Georgia Flood, 20, clinched runner up and the Miss Chester charity title went to 20-year-old operations administrator Becci Jones.

They were presented with their sashes by Angie Beasley, national director of Miss England, and former Miss England Georgia Horsley.

Any charities keen to aquire Lucy’s voluntary help can contact her by email at: whentherainfalls@hotmail.co.uk