GWENT beauty is now on the world stage as Cwmbran's Miss Wales, Chloe Beth Morgan, takes on the planet at Miss World 2008.
The 22-year-old fitness instructor is up against representatives from 112 countries after flying out to South Africa at the weekend.
The pageant begins on December 13 but contestants fly out almost a month in advance to take part in various fundraising and goodwill activities.
"Chloe is so excited, she can't wait for it all to begin," her mother Susan said.
Miss Morgan, who also works in Matalan, was collected by limo as she made her way to Heathrow Airport at the weekend and family and friends turned up at her home to wish her farewell.
More than 50 contestants entered this year's Miss Wales competition before Miss Morgan triumphed at Cardiff International Arena in June.
As part of her Miss Wales role, Miss Morgan is an ambassador for the Joshua Foundation. A children's charity which offers terminally ill children opportunities for travel and events to improve their lives.
Miss Morgan said she had enjoyed supporting the Caerphilly based charity founded in memory of Joshua Cornelius who died from cancer in 1996.
"It's such a worthwhile cause I've met Joshua's mother Sarah and I know how important the work they do is."
Last year £55,000 was raised through Miss Wales for the Joshua Foundation but Miss Morgan is hoping this years efforts will top that total.
"I just want to make the most of this wonderful opportunity," Miss Morgan said.
The competition was originally supposed to take place in Ukraine but the venue was switched to South Africa following the Georgian/Russian conflict.
Miss World
The first Miss World competition took place in 1951 under the title of the Festival Bikini Contest.
It was created by Eric Morley and since 2000, following Mr Morley's death his wife Julia is now co-chairwoman of the contest.
In the 1980s Miss World adopted the slogan Beauty With a Passion and since 1951 £250 million has been raised for children's charities.
The winner of this year's competition will be crowned by 2007 Miss World China's Zi Lin Zhang.
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