A Gravesend born woman is hoping to get into the Miss England beauty pageant finals.

Neha Dhull, 23, won the Miss Kent competition in April and as a result has made her way to the Miss England semi-finals on July 3rd at Kelham Hall and Country Park in Nottinghamshire.

The social care worker went to Riverview Infant and Junior School in Cimba Wood, before going to the University of Kent to study a social work degree.

Neha thinks Gravesend will always be in her heart after spending most of her childhood there.

She said: “My roots will always be in Gravesend. I love Gravesend, as for me it represents diversity where people from different ethnic backgrounds and religions come together equally.”

Currently working in Dartford for a fostering agency, she is passionate about empowering young women and breaking stereotypes, saying: “I believe that the professional career that I chose for myself breaks stereotypes of Indians being doctors, engineers and lawyers etc.

“I entered Miss England as I want empower young girls from all different backgrounds to follow their dreams and aspirations, and to never conform to sexist rules or values.

"I want to raise awareness of safeguarding vulnerable children as I am a social worker so I understand how important these issues are.”

She goes on to thank her parents, and describes her mother and father as inspirational role models, saying: “My father is one of my role models as he is a feminist. He has always encouraged me to follow my passions and career path.

“Both my parents have always encouraged me to be proud of my identity and to empower and support women.”

Neha is a proud British Indian and wants to use her title as Miss England – if she won – to be a role model of her own.

She said: “I believe that my values and personality traits make me a role model to British Indians and also to people from all different backgrounds.”

The proud feminist likes to keep fit in her spare time by regularly exercising and admitted her passions are acting and Bollywood dance. She has also taken part in multiple charity events including two 10k runs for Great Ormond Street.

The semi-final hopeful agrees that pageants are given a bad reputation of competitions ‘where only pretty women can participate’, but insists this isn’t the case.

She said: “When I took part in the competition in Cambridge where I was selected as Miss Kent and semi-finalist of Miss England, I took part in a general knowledge test and had to make a dress out of recycled materials for the fashion round.

“Miss England emphasises the importance of eco friendly environment.”