A HOSPITALITY student is getting ready to swap Stanway for the runway at the finals of Miss Essex 2016.

Charlea Lindsey, 18, who studies at Colchester Institute, was head-hunted by contest organisers after they spotted her picture among old entries for the Miss England pageant.

The self-taught dancer and performing arts enthusiast from Threshers End, Stanway, agreed to enter and has made it into the final 40.

The former Stanway School pupil will model five different outfits for judges at stately home, Parklands Quendon Hall, in Quendon, on March 10.

If Charlea wins, she will take the crown from Miss Essex 2015, Devon Mayson, a country singer and model from South Woodham Ferrers.

She said: “I’m very excited - it’s going to be an amazing experience. It’s something I have always wanted to do.

“It was quite a shock really. My mum said the organiser asked her to send them a head shot of me and I was so happy when they accepted it.

“I put my details in for Miss England ages ago.

“I can’t wait to meet new people and be on the stage. The biggest dream would be to get a job at the end of it - I love my performing arts and the modelling will be amazing.”

The keen actress and dancer landed the main role of Snow White in Theatricool’s pantomime when she was just 13 and went on to perfect her acting and dancing skills while at college.

Charlea hopes to be spotted by The Only Way Is Essex production company staff, who will be watching from the audience on March 10.

Mum Sam Lindsey said: “This is something Charlea’s never really done before.

“I applied for Miss England for her and they have passed her details on to do this.

“I think it’s a good stepping stone - she might get seen and have the chance to do what she really wants to do which is singing, acting and dancing.”

She added: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but she is a lovely looking girl and she’s got a lot of potential.”