A forensic science graduate will be contending for the Miss Universe crown.

Watford born Archna Bhatt will compete to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe pageant.

Ms Bhatt, who currently lives in West London but grew up in Garston, works as a cabin crew member for an airline.

The 26-year-old she is one of 40 women taking part in the 2019 Miss Universe Great Britain competition in Cardiff in July.

Watford Observer:

She said: “I had two dreams as a little girl. One of them was to become a cabin crew member and fly all over the world.

“The other was to be a contestant in a beauty pageant.

“I am really excited to have been chosen as a finalist for Miss Universe Great Britain this year. It’s going to be a huge adventure as well as a lot of fun.

“My vision is to inspire women, and to show that being brave and passionate is the key to freedom from the confinement of our comfort zones.”

Ms Bhatt, 26, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in forensic science three years ago.

Ms Bhatt said participating in a major beauty pageant is “outside my comfort zone” but she says she is excited and ready to do her best.

If she is successful in the Great Britain qualifier on July 13, she will get the opportunity to represent the UK later this year at the Miss Universe competition.

Archana said: “In the run up to the contest I will be tasked with a series of challenges and fundraising for A-Sisterhood, an organisation which supports the advancement of women worldwide.”

This year, money from the fundraising will be donated to several charities, including Llamau, a homeless charity in Wales which runs special projects to help homeless women and the National Centre for Female Genital Mutilation which aims to put an end to the practice by 2030.

She added: “My vision is to inspire women, and to show that being brave and passionate is the key to freedom from the confinement of our comfort zones.”