A PONTYPOOL auntie and her niece are both finalists in a UK wide beauty pageant - and in with a chance of competing in America.

Carla Williams, 26, and her 17-month-old niece, Skyla-rae Stark, are both in the finals of the Miss UK Dreams pageant and will be competing in their categories on February 28.

The regional finalists will be competing for the UK National title to qualify for competing in the USA in the summer.

Miss Williams said: “Both of us could win our own categories and end up being in the group of 11 girls that will go to America which would be a dream come true.”

Motivated by raising money for good causes, Miss Williams, 26, entered her first pageant in March 2013.

She took the Miss Real Girl UK crown and raised £300 for Cancer Research UK.

“It made me feel really confident and as I wanted to raise more money for charity, I entered more pageants.”

She picked the latest pageant as it supports Dream Queen, a not for profit organisation, which aims to allow everyone to become involved in community based projects.

Miss Williams, from Trevethin, won the directors choice title during her heat held in Wolverhampton in May and Skyla-rae won the Welsh heat on September 28.

They both raised money for the charity and took part in a creative t-shirt round, a fashion wear and evening wear round.

Now the pair have to complete a scrap book highlighting their charitable and community work at home and are busy organising a Christmas children’s party and a ladies night.