Sleeping beauty’s ‘Miss GB’ chance

Miss Blackburn Vicci Goulding, 22, slept through her 5.15am alarm which would have given her ample time to get ready for the X-Factor-style auditions to get into the contest.

She woke up at 6.30am and, after a quick shower, headed off to Manchester wearing a £12 black leather jacket, a vest top, jeans and £12 black boots from high street retailer Primark.

During her "mad dash" to Manchester, Vicci put her mascara on and straightened her hair with straighteners, which were plugged into the car's cigarette lighter, while she was stopped at traffic lights and junctions.

And she managed to get there with minutes to spare for her 9am slot.

Vicci, a second year student of performing arts at Salford University, said: "When I got there everyone was glammed up.

"There was this one girl with long brown hair and a top from the designer shop Cricket in Liverpool. She was beautiful and I thought I had no chance of getting through.

"She had her top on from Cricket on and I had my Primark boots on that I'd bought when my student loan came through in January.

"When she came out I couldn't believe she hadn't got through. I went in with a big smile and was just myself.

"I'm really excited and can't wait."

Following the audition at a hotel near Manchester Airport last month, Vicci was told she will be at the finals in London next month as Miss Blackburn'.

Vicci, of Chapel Street, Chorley, sent her entry in before Christmas.

She said: "I set my alarm for 5.15am but I overslept.

"I couldn't believe it. It was a mad rush in the morning. I got up at 6.30am after a quick shower.

"I got in the car, plugged my hair straighteners in and drove down, every time I had to stop I was putting on my mascara and straightening my hair!"

Vicci will go to London on May 19, ready for the Miss Great Britain contest on May 21.

She will be competing against 50 other women, 10 of whom are from the North of England, for the title of Miss Great Britain.