A Cross Hills woman has proved you can go far with a champion smile.

When Valena Turnbull, 39, entered a brightest smile competition in Woman's Own magazine she never dreamt she would be picked as a winner.

"I only entered because the competition was to raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Campaign and I wanted to support it," she says. "I didn't think I would be chosen."

Television presenter and model Kate Chapman, and international hair and beauty expert Charlie Taylor launched the competition in early July. The closing date was the end of September.

Entrants had to submit a photo of themselves holding a Pink Lady apple.

"I sent the photo off in late July and then forgot all about it," said Valena. "I was quite taken aback and flattered when I was contacted by the organisers and told I had been shortlisted."

Mrs Turnbull, who works for A and E Services in Cross Hills, has been picked to represent the north east as one of the 15 national finalists. If she wins, her prize will be a brand new car.

A competition spokesman said as Breast Cancer Awareness is this month organisers felt the competition was an ideal way of keeping the momentum of the campaign going.

He said: "This year the number of entries for the Britain's Brightest Smile competition - organised annually by Pink Lady Apples and The Breast Cancer Campaign - had doubled, so competition has been tougher than ever before."

A few years ago Mrs Turnbull and husband Rod, of Victoria Road, raised money for specialist equipment at Manorlands after Mr Turnbull's sister died of cancer. The motorbike enthusiasts organised a 30-mile sponsored bike push from Skipton to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Mrs Turnbull is now eagerly awaiting the final outcome of the competition, which is expected this week .