A beauty queen from Skelmersdale could be named Miss World at a beauty pageant final, which takes place next month.

Aerospace engineering graduate Jessica Gagen is one of 120 candidates competing in India for the Miss World title.

During the pageant, the 27-year-old said she wants to discuss decarbonising the aviation industry.

The women face rounds assessing their talents, sporting abilities, debating, modelling, ability to engage with an audience, and their charity projects.

Speaking from New Delhi, Jessica said: “Obviously (with) Miss England, Miss World, people don’t expect the aerospace engineering to go with it.

“It really is drawing attention to it – a lot of people are like, wow, why would she do both? And it genuinely is because I can get more girls into the industry.

“I was always very interested in the vehicular movement in space, so not necessarily astronomy, but us getting to space.

“I want to go up to space and I want to conduct scientific research and help people on the ground.”

She said she was inspired to go to space after meeting British astronaut Tim Peake during her degree at the University of Liverpool.

With the newly crowned Miss France (Eve Gilles) recently making global news being the first winner with short hair, it appears the days of the stereotypical beauty queen have passed.  

Angie Beasley the CEO of Miss England said: “ I believe the judges will be looking for someone who not only has stand-out looks, but also lots of charisma and personality - I believe Jess ticks all those boxes and has a really good chance of winning”.

Jess has had an 18 month reign as Miss England and has been promoting Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects to female students to study.

She has also been on an extensive humanitarian trip to India, taken part in various charitable events in the UK and attended photo shoots and functions

The Miss World winner will be announced on March 9 in Mumbai.