NEWPORT community worker Victoria Jenkins (pictured) has represented her country on the sports field - now she hopes to do the same in the beauty stakes.

Victoria, 23, is vice-captain of Newport Ladies hockey team and has also played for Wales, but she has put aside her hockey stick and trainers for high heels and lipstick to take part in this year's Miss Wales contest.

"I'm really excited at the prospect of taking part," she said. "It's a great opportunity."

It was Victoria's mother, Anne, from Cwmbran, who entered her daughter for the competition.

She said: "Victoria lights up any room she walks into. She's a beautiful girl, and I'm very proud of her for getting this far. If she wins and goes to China (a competition prize) I'll really miss her, but she deserves it."

As a community development officer with Newport council, Victoria's days are usually spent working among the city's most deprived communities.

The woman who has recently moved from home town Cwmbran to Pontyclun said: "I love working with the public and get great satisfaction from it, but I wouldn't mind sampling a more glamorous lifestyle. I've always wanted to work in sports media so hopefully this competition will be a springboard to greater things."

To take the Miss Wales title in Cardiff on September 18 Victoria will first have to impress a judging panel by modelling sportswear, clubwear and eveningwear. She will also have to answer a series of questions.

"I'm extremely nervous, but I'll try to keep calm," she said.

Victoria's boyfriend Gareth, 23, parents Paul and Anne, sister Kelly, 26, and 21-year-old brother Ben, will all be there to support her. If she is successful she will go on to spend four weeks touring China and will hopefully be put through to Miss World.

l Four other Gwent girls are competing for the Miss Wales title. They are Olivia Treverton-Jones, 20, from Newport; Lehanne Wells, 24, from Pontypool; Rachel Rice, 19, and Emma Shadbolt, 20, both from Cwmbran.