Mrs Somerset Dionne John competing in national Galaxy pageant

Mrs Somerset Dionne John is competing in the grand final of this country's Galaxy pageant next month.

If Dionne, 39, of Winchester Street, wins, then she'll qualify for the international competition in the USA for the second year, after participating last year.

She said: "I'm delighted to have been selected out of so many ladies who entered.

"I am going to use my local title as Mrs Somerset to raise as much money for charities as possible."

She has already raised more than £4,000 for charities including St Margaret's Hospice, The British Heart Foundation and The Christie Charity.

She has held several events such as festivals, car boot sales and carnivals and even did a 15,000 feet skydive at Dunkeswell, which raised £563 for the BHF.

"Raising money for these charities means so much to me," added Dionne.

"Very close family members of mine suffer with heart problems and others have been lost or are still fighting cancer everyday.

"It took a lot of guts to jump from a plane that high, but it's all for an amazing cause."

She is featuring on a charity single 'Pretend it's ok' by Winter, featuring artists from around the globe with all proceeds going to cancer research and the pink ribbon breast cancer awareness initiative.

She also made an appearance on stage at the Orchard Shopping Centre for the Christmas lights switch, along with Taunton Carnival Queen Eloise Gould.