MISS Gloucester won't be parading around in swimwear tonight in her bid to be crowned Miss England.

Instead, Jenni Hickey and her fellow contestants have to wear red and white sportswear for tonight's semi-finals.

Jenni will be pulling on the legendary Cherry and White hoops of Gloucester rugby.

And it won't be a replica shirt but the real thing, kindly donated by the club's Samoan centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu.

Jenni, 20, who is studying for a BSc in equine dental science, said: "Sportswear had to be in red and white, so I thought why not take Gloucester's colours?"

Her boyfriend Graeme Lawler, who is studying at the college's rugby academy, sourced a shirt from Eliota.

"I'm very grateful, hopefully it will bring me some luck," said Jenni, who, at 17, won the title of Miss Bedfordshire, her home county.

Compere for the Gloucester heat, organised and sponsored by Cream hairdressing was Gloucester City Council leader Paul James.

"Jenni will be a great ambassador for the city and I wish her the best of luck for the semi-finals," he said.

The decision to ban the swimsuit round in this year's competition was made by organisers and the reigning Miss England, Katrina Hodge.

National organiser Angie Beasley said: "Every year the girls take part in the various rounds in Miss England, we have a talent, charity, eco and now the sports round which will replace the swimwear in the competition.

"Whenever Miss World or Miss England footage is ever shown on TV, they always feature the old beauty parades of swimwear and high heels, but it's not how we run Miss England or how Miss World is run now and this year's Miss England final will be different for sure."

The semi-finals will be held in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire at 6pm today where 58 girls hoped to qualify for the final.