A WOMAN wants to become Miss Essex, or even Miss England, to help a cancer charity after her sister died of the disease.

Sehar Zam, 22, of Wanstead, has been raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support since her 23-year-old sister died of leukaemia in 2012.

The former Romford student reached third place in the Miss Essex contest last year and wants to continue to battle the “Essex girl stereotype”.

She said: “We are very talented and we have our heads screwed on.”

Sehar runs her own online evening gown shop, as well as being a professional Asian bridal-wear model.

She is also due to start a degree in business management in February.

Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to volunteer as an “inspirational speaker” for the Macmillan appeal, giving talks at community centres and schools across east London and Essex.

She added: “I’ve been into charity work ever since I was a young girl. I used to do a lot at school.

“But my passion was consolidated after my sister passed away.

“The pain and suffering she and our whole family felt was indescribable.

“I would never want anyone else to go through the same ordeal, which is why I’m so deterimined to spread awareness.”

Sehar is planning to wear one of the gowns from her own shop for the Miss Essex finals on April 5.

If she manages to scoop the title, she will automatically go forward to the Miss England finals on July 14.

She said: “After competing in last year’s Miss Essex and getting runner up, I really want to take home the crown this year.

“I want to inspire other girls to know that, if they are feeling down and they feel that they can’t speak to anyone, they should never give up.

“It would be nice to represent all the Essex girls, because we have this label on us that’s just not true at all.

“I want to use my degree to help me start my own charity in memory of my big sister, and winning Miss England would really help me achieve that.”