A sexy female soldier is swapping her army boots for high heels as she pursues a career – as a catwalk MODEL.
Charlotte Lawson, 22, has spent three years in the Territorial Army and runs outdoor assault courses but is now bidding to become the next Miss England.
Charlotte, who works for “Xtreme Boot Camps” in Worcester and runs spin classes at her local gym, joined the TA after leaving school in 2009.
She completed her training in 2010 and became a hot-shot on the rifle range before joining the Army Reserves based at 214 Battery, 104 Regiment Artillery, in Worcester.
Earlier this year, Miss England candidates began taking part in Charlotte’s fitness boot camps, and it inspired Gunner Lawson to apply to her own local competition last month.
Charlotte, who lives in Worcester with her mum Jane, 49, and dad Iain, 52, said: “I applied to Miss Worcestershire last month, and they got back to me a couple of days later saying I had reached the final which was brilliant.
“I get to hang up my army boots for a while and put on my high heels which will be nice.
“I think it surprised a lot of my TA and boot camp friends that I was doing this really girly thing, but there is that side of me as well so I am glad I’m doing it.
“I think it’s important that people don’t just see girls in the military as being butch, so I want people to see I’m not just into fitness.
“And I also really like that the competition has an element of giving back to the community because each contestant has to raise money for charity too.
“But I love having both interests. I just got back from California where I had learnt how to assemble, fix and fly drones to be used in reconnaissance.
“There’s always a chance I will be asked to go over to Iraq or somewhere like that, but it doesn’t look very likely at the moment.
“I don’t think my parents were too keen when I first signed up to the TA but they support me in it. No one else in the family is interested in the military.
“My boyfriend at the time was joining the military back in 2009 and it got me interested but I decided to go to college and just join the TA rather that join the actual army.
“My basic training taught me navigation skills, fitness, and involved my weapons training as well, so I can use a rifle now.
“I would love to be a peace envoy one day, going to places that needed it to most like the Middle East. That is my dream.”
The Miss Worcestershire competition finals will take place on November 2, at the Worcester Guildhall.
The regional heat consists of 32 entrants, and if Charlotte wins that title she will automatically be entered for the Miss England final, set to be held next summer.
Director of the Miss England competition, Angie Beasley said: “The Miss England contest attracts real women from all walks of life.
“Charlotte is the first Army Reserve soldier that has entered for 2015 and it’s great to have her on board, I wish her well in the contest.”
