FORMER Halesowen schoolgirl student Sonum Nijjer is hoping to impress the judges when she attempts to become Miss Birmingham next month.

The 20-year-old, who attended Earls High School, has been chosen as one of the final 40 contestants for this year's competition.

She will now feature in a glitzy final to take place at Birmingham's Burlington Hotel on Sunday March 15, with the winner going on o represent the city in Miss England and the chance of a place in Miss World.

Sonum, a second year student at Birmingham City University, said: "The competition is much more than a beauty pageant, otherwise I wouldn't have entered.

"I had to have an interview in January before winning through to the final 40 from an original application of 600.

"As part of the competition, I will be looking to do some charity work. I've already agreed to do a sky dive to raise funds and awareness for Kidney Research UK and I've also applied to do work at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"Whatever happens in the competition, I will still go through with these. I also want to become a mentor for students."