AN ALLOA woman was recently crowned Miss United Kingdom Rose at a competition in England.

Nicola Kirkpatrick recently travelled to Chorley in Lancashire and competed with around 50 other women on Saturday, October 16 before winning the title.

The Wee County woman competed in three categories in the women's section: fashion wear, nationals wear and evening wear.

In the run-up to the event Nicola also created a magazine – Mondaz Dream Magazine – which she sold to raise money for charity.

Raising more than £1,000, Nicola was able to buy a swing set for an orphanage in Africa and have it built before donating the remaining money to Mind, a mental health charity.

Nicola said: "Winning my title means the world to me. I now have a lot of work ahead of me.

"My daily is full of events l'll be attending to represent the UK

"It's such a honor to hold the title for the UK Miss United Kingdom Rose Women 21-22."

As well as working, she recently travelled to Manchester for a pageant, she'll be judging competitions as well as attending multiple photoshoots.

Nicola chose Mind as her charity as she says because of her military background she "got to see first-hand what depression can do to people."

In the future, Nicola also hopes to travel to Africa to visit the orphanage she supported after they made her an ambassador.

She said: "My efforts have been rewarded by becoming an ambassador for the orphanage.

"I hope to go out to Uganda next year and help support the children's education and wellbeing."

Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown last year, Nicola kept herself busy by helping out local causes.

She dropped off food parcels off to the elderly and vulnerable locally, cleaning the beaches of plastic and has also delivered some toiletry bags to homeless shelters.

In December last year she also got behind a drive to make sure Cera Care Alloa, formerly Mears Care, all receive a Christmas gift and a three-course meal, even if they weren't allowed to hold their usual festive party.